FG Urged to Approve 16 Weeks Paid Maternity Leave

Stakeholders have called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to approve a 16-week fully paid maternity leave nationwide, highlighting the inadequacy of the current policy, which provides only 12 weeks of maternity leave at half pay. This initiative was discussed during the launch of the "Best Start" campaign by the Ministry of Labour in Abuja.

Ekimini Akpapan, Executive Secretary of the Women Success Career (WISCAR) Coalition, emphasized the need for a unified parental leave framework applicable across federal, state, and private sector employment. The existing framework is seen as placing undue burdens on families and limiting economic productivity.

The current maternity leave provisions are described as insufficient and fragmented across states. Priscilla Shinshima, a nurse, and Tolu Abdul, a Senior Program Officer at the Nigerian Governor Forum, noted that the short leave period affects recovery and bonding between parents and newborns.

They also pointed out that evidence shows that parental leave policies enhance employee retention and productivity.