The study assesses the degree and patterns of horizontal inequity in maternal and child health care utilization in Nigeria. Horizontal inequity was estimated using concentration curves and a standardized concentration index, which was decomposed into need and non-need variables to capture the major drivers of inequity in utilization. Maternal and child health care utilization was measured by antenatal visits, skilled delivery and immunization utilization. Four rounds of Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data (1999, 2003, 2008, 2013) were used. The results show a positive horizontal inequity index from 1999 to 2013; which indicates that there is pro-rich inequity in utilization of antenatal, skilled delivery and immunization, respectively. The study concludes that there is higher and increasing inequity in maternal health care while inequity in utilization of child health care decreased over time with wealth status and education as the major non-need drivers of inequity in utilization. Interventions to enhance women's wealth status and education could significantly improve equity in skilled delivery and antenatal care utilization. Hence wealth creation, women empowerment and education should be given more attention to improve the deteriorating equity in maternal health care utilization.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to estimate Nigeria's audiovisual services import demand using foreign football transmitted through digital satellite television (DSTV) as a case study. The major focus is on whether such imports effectively replace local recreation in watching domestic football.Design/methodology/approachThe authors examined descriptive statistics. The methodology employed is a combination of descriptive analysis and cross‐sectional regression.FindingsThe paper's analytical framework establishes a link between the conventional import demand and demand for football functions, while the estimated empirical counterpart found that the demand for foreign football via cross‐border satellite transmission is a statistically significant function of taste for foreign football, quality, and entertainment. While descriptive statistics indicate respondents’ preference for foreign football, the test of significance rejected the hypothesis that the demand for foreign football broadcast service imports has replaced demand for domestic football as an entertaining sport. In addition, the demand for foreign football broadcast is fairly inelastic, as a greater percentage of the respondents will watch foreign football even if the cost of subscription or cost of paying per view in the viewing centers increase.Originality/valueThe paper describes the first of this type of research to be conducted in Nigeria.

A key indicator of the SDG goal of attaining Universal Health Coverage is the access to quality essential health care services, access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all. Although The Federal Government of Nigeria has adopted the SDGs, data from UNICEF’s Multiple Cluster survey 2016 – 2017 indicates a severe disparity in health care service coverage among poor women and children who reside in rural areas. To this end, this communication advocates that the National Assembly ensures that 15% - 20% of health expenditure goes to Primary Health Care. Also, the amendment of the NHIS Act to include community based insurance schemes and employ its powers of scrutiny and oversight functions in order to reduce the dearth in Primary Health care facilities in rural areas.

Access to quality healthcare is one of the fundamental human rights of every citizen irrespective of socio-economic status. In Nigeria access to quality and affordable health care by citizens, especially in rural areas, is a major challenge because many healthcare centres in rural areas do not meet the required health facilities standard for basic preventive and curative care. The Nigerian constitution specifies the need to make quality healthcare affordable for citizens, maintaining healthcare standards seems to be far from being achieved. The objective of the book chapter is to discuss the role of legislators in maintaining health care standards in Nigeria. A major role that the legislators can play to improve on standards is the establishment of agency by law that will monitor and enforce standard in States and Local Governments health facilities. The legislators can also amend the law establishing NPHCDA to provide for the establishment of Management Agencies to adequately ensure the maintenance of minimum standard structure for effectiveness of health care delivery.