The Nigeria Government has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting, protecting, and supporting breastfeeding as a key strategy to combat malnutrition, enhance child health, and drive national development.
This assurance was delivered in Abuja by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, during the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week celebration.
The event, themed “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems,” highlighted the importance of establishing long-term structures to encourage breastfeeding practices across the country.
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Prof. Pate who was represented by the Director and Head of Nutrition at the Ministry, Mrs. Ladidi Bako-Aiyebusi in his key note address emphasized that breastfeeding is a shared responsibility that requires supportive action from government institutions, communities, workplaces, religious bodies, and families.
He noted that creating sustainable support systems across all sectors is key to empowering mothers to breastfeed successfully and improving Nigeria’s health indicators.
The minister highlighted the immense benefits of breastfeeding, including complete nutritional support for infants in the first six months of life, long-term health advantages for mothers, and broader societal benefits such as reduced healthcare costs, food security, and improved productivity at workplaces.
He stressed that supporting breastfeeding is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s human capital development.
Citing the 2024 National Demographic and Health Survey, Pate expressed concern that Nigeria’s exclusive breastfeeding rate remains at 29%, well below the global target of 50%.
He called for increased awareness and enforcement of existing policies, including those regulating the marketing of breast milk substitutes, to prevent suboptimal breastfeeding practices that put infants at risk.
“To support working mothers, the government has implemented policies such as 112 days of paid maternity leave and daily breastfeeding breaks for nursing mothers in federal service”.
“Fathers are also granted 14 days of paternity leave to encourage joint responsibility in infant care and breastfeeding support at home”. He added.
Professor Pate urged all Nigerians, especially policymakers, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and the media, to make breastfeeding promotion a daily priority.
He expressed optimism that this year’s campaign would improve breastfeeding rates, reduce malnutrition, and strengthen the foundation for a healthier and more productive nation.
The Chief Medical Director of the National Hospital Abuja, Professor Muhammad Raji Mahmood, reaffirmed the hospital’s unwavering commitment to supporting breastfeeding in Nigeria.
Represented by the Director of Clinical Services, Dr. Isiaku Lawal, the CMD described the hospital as a strong breastfeeding ally since its establishment.
Dr. Lawal reminded attendees that the hospital was originally established as the National Hospital for Women and Children, a legacy still reflected in its logo featuring a mother cuddling a child in a breastfeeding posture.
He emphasized that breastfeeding remains central to the hospital’s mission and assured continued collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health in promoting child nutrition and maternal health.
He commended the organizers for choosing National Hospital Abuja as the venue for this year’s celebration and noted the facility’s consistent support for similar programs.
Also speaking, the Technical Officer for Nutrition at the WHO Nigeria Country Office. Dr. Pindar Wakawa, emphasized the need for increased budget allocation and integration of breastfeeding support into routine maternal and child health services.
Dr. Wakawa stressed the importance of equipping all healthcare providers with the skills needed to support breastfeeding, especially during emergencies.
He also advocated for the protection of breastfeeding by enforcing the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes in all health facilities.
He described breastfeeding as not just a health necessity, but a smart economic move that reduces healthcare costs, boosts child development, and strengthens national economies.
WHO, he added, remains committed to helping Nigeria build resilient health systems that support mothers and children alike.
The Nutrition Manager, UNICEF Nigeria, Sumit Karn urged more Nigerian states to adopt six months of paid maternity leave to support breastfeeding mothers, especially in urban areas where more women are joining the workforce.
He stressed that breast milk has no substitute and warned against aggressive marketing of formula products, urging the media to help dispel myths around breastfeeding and promote accurate information.
He reaffirmed UNICEF commitment to supporting Nigeria in improving breastfeeding rates, describing it as a smart investment that reduces child mortality and boosts national development.