Kwara govt grants six-month paid maternity leave for female civil servants

The Kwara state government has approved a six-month fully paid maternity leave for female civil servants to support and empower nursing mothers in the workforce. The decision, communicated in an official circular dated August 1, 2025, reflects Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's commitment to enhancing maternity leave benefits.

This move follows the government's earlier extension of maternity leave from three to six months in August 2023. The governor's wife, Olufolake Abdulrazaq, highlighted the importance of supporting women's right to breastfeed freely, aligning with the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding practices.

The first lady also praised the establishment of crèches in various ministries as a positive step towards encouraging breastfeeding among working mothers. This initiative, in line with the Nigerian Labour Act, represents a significant advancement in supporting working mothers and sets a commendable example in the region.