UNICEF Decries Low Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate in Niger State

Only 15 per cent of mothers in Niger State practice exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of their babies’ lives, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

This was revealed by Dr. Ahmed Tsofo, UNICEF Health Specialist, during the flag-off of the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week held in Minna on Thursday. Representing the UNICEF Chief of Kaduna Field Office, Dr. Gerida Birukil, Tsofo noted that while Nigeria’s national average for exclusive breastfeeding stands at 34 per cent, Niger State lags significantly behind at 15.7 per cent.

He emphasized the need for mothers—and their spouses—to embrace exclusive breastfeeding, highlighting its benefits for child survival, disease prevention, and long-term development.

“As UNICEF, we continue to advocate for the implementation of the six-month maternity leave policy across all states,” Tsofo said. “Currently, only 10 states, including Niger, have approved the policy, which allows mothers six months of paid maternity leave to focus on breastfeeding and newborn care.”

First Lady of Niger State, Hajiya Fatima Bago, who officially launched the breastfeeding week, appealed to nursing mothers to commit to the practice of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and to continue breastfeeding for up to 23 months. She stressed the crucial role of breastfeeding in child health, family planning, and disease prevention.

“Breastfeeding is a natural vaccine for newborns,” she said. “We encourage mothers to see it not just as a duty, but a powerful tool for nurturing healthy children.”

In a related development, the UNICEF U-Report team, led by Aisha Ndagi, conducted a sensitisation campaign in communities across Tunga Ward, Minna, to raise awareness of the importance of exclusive breastfeeding.

Also speaking at the event, the state’s Commissioner for Primary Health Care, Dr. Ibrahim Dangana, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the six-month maternity leave policy. Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Gana, he confirmed that the policy had been fully gazetted and is currently being implemented across Niger State.

“We are proud that all nursing mothers working under the state government now benefit from six months of paid maternity leave,” he stated.

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated globally from August 1 to 7 to promote breastfeeding as a cornerstone