Mapping a Decade of Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health Research in Nigeria (2015–2025): A Scoping Review Protocol

Nigeria bears a disproportionate share of the global maternal, neonatal, and child mortality burden. In 2020, the country accounted for 28.5% of all global maternal deaths, with a maternal mortality ratio of 1,047 per 100,000 live births. The under-five mortality rate stands at 110 per 1,000 live births, more than four times the SDG target, while neonatal mortality has remained largely unchanged at 41 per 1,000 live births. Yet the structure of its MNCH research base remains poorly characterised. No study has systematically mapped the volume, distribution, methodological profile, or thematic scope of this literature across the Sustainable Development Goal era. This scoping review aims to map and characterise empirical maternal, neonatal, and child health research conducted in Nigeria between 2015 and 2025. We will search PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and the African Journals Online (AJOL) for empirical studies focused on maternal, neonatal, and/or child health, conducted in Nigeria, and published between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2025. Two reviewers will independently screen records and chart data using a standardised form in Covidence. Charted data will be synthesised using descriptive statistics and narrative analysis. Findings will describe the geographic distribution, methodological approaches, population focus, thematic scope, and structural characteristics including funding, ethics reporting, and study setting of included studies. Temporal trends and evidence gaps will be identified. This review will provide the first comprehensive map of Nigeria's MNCH research landscape over the SDG decade, identifying gaps and informing priorities for future research investment and capacity development.