By Ochiaka Ugwu
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom has revealed that only 29% of nursing mothers engage in exclusive breastfeeding with 36% embarking in early initiation.
Kachollom also noted that Nigeria has continued to face the triple burden of malnutrition: undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and rising overweight/obesity.
Stating that breastfeeding remains one of the most effective interventions for child survival, Kachollom lamented that optimal practices remain low expressing that while 95% of mothers breastfeed, only 36% initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth.
She stated that only 29% of mothers exclusively breastfeed for six months with only 23% continuing breastfeeding up to 24 months.
The permanent Secretary, who made this known Monday at the event of 2026 World Breastfeeding Week Commemoration and Official Launch of “1000 Days of Life Grow Stronger Together Campaign” in Abuja, said only 21 states in Nigeria have approved six months of paid maternity leave.
She commended the states and urge others to follow suit, maintaining that breastfeeding is everyone’s responsibility.
She said the indicators show that more must be done to meet national targets.
“WHO and UNICEF recommend early initiation within the first hour, exclusive breastfeeding for six months, and continued breastfeeding alongside complementary feeding for up to two years or beyond” she said.
The annual celebration themed: Breastfeeding for Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen what works” was focused on ensuring that every child in Nigeria receives the best possible start in life.
It is also brought to fore that breastfeeding remains one of the most powerful, irreplaceable interventions for child survival, quality nutrition, and lifelong development.
“Breastfeeding provides complete nutrition, protects against infections, strengthens immunity, supports brain development, and reduces infant mortality.
“For mothers, it lowers cancer risks. For families and the nation, it reduces healthcare costs and boosts economic productivity.
“Despite these benefits, barriers persist: delayed initiation, cultural practices, inadequate counseling, limited workplace support, aggressive marketing of breast milk substitutes, and insufficient community involvement.
“Addressing these requires collective action,” she noted.
She informed of Federal Government commitment to Scale up the National Maternal Strategy, Expanding Baby-Friendly Hospital and Community Initiatives, Building health workers’ capacity, Enforcing the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, Promoting breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, Supporting community breastfeeding groups, and Increasing public awareness and encouraging father/community involvement.
As she declared the World Breastfeeding Week open and officially launch the First 1,000 Days of Life Nutritional, Social, and Behavior Change Campaign, she urged mothers to attend antenatal clinics at primary healthcare centers for care and necessary vaccinations as their health matters to the government.
Also speaking, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health and Focal Person for Nutrition, Office of the Vice President, Mrs. Uju Rochas-Anwukah said a mother’s milk was still the single most powerful public health intervention available to any nation.
She noted that debate was no longer required, but the discipline to strengthen, scale up and sustain breastfeeding.
Noting the importance of breastfeeding, she said that a breastfed child is healthier, smarter, and a more productive citizen in waiting.
Director and Head of Nutrition Department, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mrs. Olufunmilola Adegbite said the annual celebration provides an opportunity for reaffirming collective commitment to protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding as one of the most cost-effective and impactful interventions for improving child survival, material health and national development.
The First 1,000 Days of Life Nutritional, Social and Behaviour Change Campaign was launched to promote efforts to tackle child malnutrition by driving nationwide breastfeeding practice aimed at improving exclusive breastfeeding and reducing preventable child deaths.
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