The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF ) has said only one out of every three babies is exclusively breastfed for up to six months in Nigeria.
UNICEF’s Chief of Enugu Field Office, Juliet Chiluwe, said this while addressing journalists in a virtual meeting in Owerri, Thursday.
This was part of activities marking the World Breastfeeding Week observed every 1 to 7 August.
The theme for the 2025 edition was ‘Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems’.
Chiluwe described breastfeeding as “a cornerstone of child survival, growth and healthy development,” and said the year’s theme underscored the urgent need to build lasting systems that support mothers to breastfeed.
She expressed satisfaction that over 90 per cent of Nigerian women have breastfed their babies.
She also commended the 10 states – Lagos, Kwara, Ekiti, Oyo, Cross River, Kaduna, Niger, Ondo, Enugu and Plateau – for extending paid maternity leave for up to six months for public workers.
She said the extension will serve as an incentive for improved and efficient breastfeeding as it is expected to reduce the pressure on lactating mothers to return to work.
“Breast milk is all a baby needs for the first six months, no substitutes compare.
“Mothers need time, support and protection from families, workplaces, communities and the government,” she said.
Chiluwe called for the establishment of breastfeeding corners in workplaces to give mothers a dignified and convenient space to breastfeed.
She added that working mothers could successfully breastfeed with the right support.
UNICEF’s Social Behavioural Change Specialist, Enugu field office, Hillary Ozor, called on all stakeholders for action on agenda setting for breastfeeding.
“We should set the agenda and the media can lead the call for action on breastfeeding.
“A clear sign of love for my child is to exclusively breastfeed my child,” she said.
(NAN)