Only 1 in 3 Nigerian Babies Exclusively Breastfed — UNICEF

Patience Ogbodo-Iwuagwu,, Enugu

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that just one in every three babies in Nigeria is exclusively breastfed for the recommended first six months of life.

UNICEF’s Chief of Enugu Field Office, Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, disclosed this on Thursday during a virtual press briefing as part of activities to mark the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week, observed annually from August 1 to 7.

The theme for this year’s commemoration is “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems” — a call to action for stronger and lasting structures that support nursing mothers across all spheres of society.

Describing breastfeeding as a cornerstone of child survival, growth, and development, Chiluwe stressed the critical role it plays in building healthier future generations.

“Breast milk is all a baby needs in the first six months of life — no substitute compares. Yet, only about 34 per cent of babies in Nigeria are exclusively breastfed,” she said.

Chiluwe praised the efforts of 10 Nigerian states — Lagos, Kwara, Ekiti, Oyo, Cross River, Kaduna, Niger, Ondo, Enugu, and Plateau — for adopting a six-month paid maternity leave policy for female public servants. She said the policy is a major step in encouraging exclusive breastfeeding by relieving mothers of the pressure to return to work too soon after childbirth.

According to her, over 90 per cent of Nigerian mothers breastfeed, but many do not sustain exclusive breastfeeding for the full six months due to lack of support.

“Mothers need time, support, and protection from families, workplaces, communities, and government,” Chiluwe emphasized, while also advocating for the creation of breastfeeding corners in workplaces to provide nursing mothers with safe and dignified spaces.

Also speaking during the session, UNICEF’s Social and Behavioural Change Specialist, Dr. Hillary Ozor, urged media and civil society actors to play an active role in pushing breastfeeding to the top of the public health agenda.

“Setting the agenda for exclusive breastfeeding is key. Media advocacy is vital. A clear sign of love for my child is to breastfeed exclusively,” Ozor said.

UNICEF is also calling on the private sector to adopt and implement the six-month maternity leave policy and create breastfeeding-friendly environments in the workplace to promote maternal and child health across the country