UNICEF backs Kaduna’s six-month maternity leave as economic boost for child nutrition, workforce productivity
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has commended the Kaduna State Government’s six-month paid maternity leave policy and the introduction of breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, describing the measures as critical investments that will improve maternal and child nutrition, boost workforce productivity and reduce long-term healthcare costs.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has commended the Kaduna State Government’s six-month paid maternity leave policy and the introduction of breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, describing the measures as critical investments that will improve maternal and child nutrition, boost workforce productivity and reduce long-term healthcare costs.
The commendation came during a press briefing in Kaduna to mark the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week, where UNICEF said the state’s policies are creating an enabling environment for mothers to exclusively breastfeed, improve child survival and strengthen human capital development.
UNICEF Nutrition Specialist at the Kaduna Field Office, Chinwe Ezeife, said the organisation, in partnership with the Kaduna State Government and development partners, is leveraging this year’s celebration to reinforce the First 1,000 Days Initiative, which covers the period from conception until a child’s second birthday.
She described the initiative as a package of evidence-based interventions designed to improve children’s health, nutrition and cognitive development while consolidating gains already recorded in Kaduna State.
According to Ezeife, the state’s six-month paid maternity leave policy represents a major milestone in promoting exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life. She added that the launch of the First 1,000 Days Social and Behaviour Change Initiative for Nutrition would further encourage families, communities and employers to support breastfeeding mothers.
She also praised the Kaduna State Planning and Budget Commission for establishing a workplace crèche and deploying caregivers to support nursing mothers, noting that breastfeeding-friendly workplaces enable women to continue breastfeeding after returning to work.
Ezeife reiterated UNICEF’s recommendations that mothers should initiate breastfeeding within one hour after birth, practise exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months without water or other foods, and continue breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary feeding until children are at least two years old.
She stressed that maternal nutrition before conception, during pregnancy and throughout the breastfeeding period is essential for healthy child development, adding that healthcare workers across Kaduna have received training on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition to strengthen counselling and improve infant feeding practices.
Expressing optimism about the state’s progress, Ezeife said Kaduna is expected to improve on the breastfeeding indicators captured in the 2023/2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. She disclosed that mothers who deliver between August 1 and 7 are being monitored to assess early initiation of breastfeeding as part of activities marking the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week.
Speaking at the briefing, Kaduna State Commissioner for Health, Dr Umma K. Ahmed, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening maternal, newborn and child nutrition through sustained investments in breastfeeding promotion and support services.
Ahmed said the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week theme, “Breastfeeding for a sustainable Start in Life: strengthen what works”, underscores breastfeeding as one of the most cost-effective interventions for improving child survival, reducing malnutrition and supporting healthy growth and development.
She said Kaduna State would continue implementing policies and programmes that expand access to quality maternal and child healthcare while creating supportive environments for breastfeeding mothers in homes, communities and workplaces.
