Nigeria Launches Campaign to Promote Breastfeeding

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in Nigeria unveiled a breastfeeding campaign during a press briefing in Abuja to mark the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week. Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom emphasized that exclusive breastfeeding during the first 1,000 days is crucial for healthier children and communities.

She highlighted Nigeria's low exclusive breastfeeding rate, with only 29% of mothers exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months. Kachollom urged for the adoption of family-friendly workplace policies, noting that only 21 states have approved six months of paid maternity leave.

The government plans to strengthen the National Maternal Strategy, enforce regulations on breast milk substitutes, and expand Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiatives. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Uju Anwukah, called for the campaign's expansion to all 774 local government areas and emphasized the need for breastfeeding-friendly workplaces.

Mya Ngon from the World Health Organization commended the government's efforts but stated that more work is needed to improve exclusive breastfeeding rates.