UNICEF warns two in three babies risk malnutrition; Shettima urges mothers to treat breastfeeding as an investment in Nigeria’s future
The Federal Government has expressed concern over Nigeria’s poor breastfeeding practices, revealing that only 36 per cent of mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth, while just 29 per cent exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months of life, despite global recommendations that the practice remains one of the most effective interventions for improving child survival and development.
The disclosure came as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned that two out of every three Nigerian babies are not exclusively breastfed, leaving millions of infants vulnerable to malnutrition, infections, poor brain development and preventable childhood diseases.
The concerns were raised during activities marking the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week, themed “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works!”, as government officials, health experts and nutrition advocates called for stronger policies, increased public awareness and improved support systems for breastfeeding mothers across the country.
Nigeria Still Falls Short of Global Targets
Speaking at the national flag-off of the campaign in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mrs. Daju Kachallom, said findings from the 2023/2024 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) showed that Nigeria was still far from meeting the breastfeeding standards recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF.
According to her, while about 95 per cent of Nigerian mothers breastfeed their babies, only 36 per cent begin breastfeeding within one hour after delivery, 29 per cent exclusively breastfeed for the first six months, while only 23 per cent continue breastfeeding up to 24 months.
She explained that WHO and UNICEF recommend that mothers initiate breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, exclusively breastfeed for six months and continue breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary feeding until children are at least two years old.
“Breastfeeding remains one of the most effective interventions for improving child survival and development. Yet optimal breastfeeding practices remain below expected levels,” she said.
Kachallom noted that although the country’s breastfeeding indicators have improved since 2018, Nigeria still has considerable work to do to achieve national and global nutrition targets.
She also revealed that only 21 states have implemented the recommended six months maternity leave, a development experts say continues to hinder many working mothers from practicing exclusive breastfeeding.
According to her, breast milk provides complete nutrition for infants, strengthens immunity, protects children against infections, supports healthy brain development and significantly reduces infant mortality.
Shettima: Breastfeeding Is a National Investment
Vice President Kashim Shettima urged mothers to see breastfeeding not merely as a personal responsibility but as an investment in Nigeria’s future.
Represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Mrs. Uju Rochas Onwuka, the Vice President said every child who receives optimal breastfeeding has a greater chance of growing into a healthier, more productive citizen.
He noted that under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, human capital development remains a central pillar of governance, stressing that no investment yields greater long-term returns than proper nutrition during a child’s first 1,000 days of life.
“Behind that gap sits a child whose immunity is weaker than it should be, a mother whose recovery is harder than it should be and a nation whose human capital is smaller than it should be,” he said.
“This is why the Vice President has directed that breastfeeding be treated not only as a maternal choice but as a national investment.”
He said healthier children would ultimately translate into healthier communities, stronger educational outcomes and greater national productivity.
UNICEF Sounds Alarm Over Malnutrition
UNICEF painted an even more worrying picture of the country’s child nutrition crisis, warning that inadequate breastfeeding remains one of the drivers of malnutrition among Nigerian children.
The organisation said millions of babies continue to miss the life-saving benefits of exclusive breastfeeding despite overwhelming scientific evidence showing that breast milk improves immunity, supports brain development, enhances cognitive ability and protects infants from childhood illnesses.
Speaking during a two-day Zonal Media Dialogue organised ahead of the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week in collaboration with the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State, the United States Mission in Nigeria, the Child Nutrition Fund, the Gates Foundation and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Officer-in-Charge of UNICEF’s Enugu Field Office, Dr. Hilary Ozoh, described breastfeeding as one of the most cost-effective investments any nation can make.
He said the practice not only improves maternal and child health but also contributes significantly to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals on health, nutrition, education and poverty reduction.
However, Ozoh lamented that many mothers still encounter barriers to exclusive breastfeeding, including misinformation, harmful cultural beliefs, inadequate workplace support and inconsistent public messaging.
He therefore challenged journalists and media organisations to become stronger advocates for breastfeeding, describing the media as a strategic partner capable of shaping public attitudes, influencing policies and encouraging families to adopt healthier infant feeding practices.
Only 21 States Offer Six-Month Maternity Leave
Stakeholders at the event also identified workplace policies as one of the major obstacles preventing many mothers from exclusively breastfeeding their babies.
According to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, only 21 states currently provide six months’ maternity leave, leaving thousands of working mothers struggling to balance employment with recommended breastfeeding practices.
Health experts said expanding maternity protection policies and creating breastfeeding-friendly workplaces would significantly improve exclusive breastfeeding rates nationwide.
The Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) described breastfeeding as a critical investment in Nigeria’s future human capital.
Executive Secretary of the organisation, Mr. Sunday Okoronkwo, represented by Programme Manager Ridwan Awosanya, said breastfeeding should no longer be viewed solely as a maternal and child health intervention.
Instead, he said it forms the foundation for human capital development, stronger communities and long-term national prosperity.
He urged governments at all levels, employers, families, communities, the private sector and development partners to strengthen policies and support systems that enable mothers to initiate breastfeeding early, exclusively breastfeed for six months and continue breastfeeding in line with global recommendations.
“Investing in breastfeeding is investing in Nigeria’s future,” he said.
Niger State Yet to Reach National Average
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Junaidu Inuwa, disclosed that the state is yet to attain the national average for exclusive breastfeeding.
According to him, the state’s compliance rate stands at about 44 per cent, compared to the national average of 56 per cent.
He said the government had intensified awareness campaigns and community sensitisation programmes to encourage mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life.
“We are working very hard to reach the national average. It is part of the reason why we are carrying out this sensitisation,” he said.
Also speaking during the campaign, the wife of the Niger State Governor, Hajia Fatima Umaru Bago, urged mothers to feed their babies exclusively with breast milk during the first six months of life, describing breast milk as sufficient to provide all the nutrients required for healthy growth.
She appealed to women not to introduce water or other foods during the recommended period, stressing that exclusive breastfeeding gives babies the healthiest possible start in life.
As part of activities marking the campaign, she visited the Senator Idris Kuta Memorial Primary Health Care Centre, where she presented ₦250,000 each to five women who had just delivered babies.
Commending the mothers for initiating breastfeeding immediately after delivery, she encouraged others to emulate them.
“I am glad the five mothers have already started breastfeeding their babies. I encourage every mother to practice exclusive breastfeeding so that we can raise healthier children and build a safer future,” she said.
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To further deepen public awareness, the Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency organised a road walk across Minna as part of activities marking the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week.
Speaking after the exercise, the agency’s Director of Food and Drugs, Mr. Daniel Jiya, said the campaign was designed to sensitise women and nursing mothers on the importance of initiating breastfeeding early and exclusively breastfeeding babies for the first six months of life.
He said the awareness campaign forms part of ongoing efforts to improve breastfeeding compliance, reduce child malnutrition and promote healthier growth among infants across the state.
Stakeholders agreed that improving breastfeeding rates would require more than annual awareness campaigns.
They called for stronger maternity protection policies, greater workplace support for nursing mothers, sustained public education, improved primary healthcare services and stronger community engagement to remove barriers preventing women from breastfeeding exclusively.
Health experts warned that unless Nigeria significantly improves exclusive breastfeeding rates, millions of children will remain at risk of malnutrition, preventable diseases and avoidable infant deaths.
They maintained that increasing breastfeeding rates is not only a public health priority but also an economic investment capable of strengthening Nigeria’s human capital and improving long-term national development.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.