Exclusive breastfeeding rates in Nigeria have stalled at just 29 percent, while early initiation has dropped from 42 percent in 2018 to 36 percent in 2023, according to a new UNICEF report released for World Breastfeeding Week.
The findings show a troubling plateau in maternal and child health efforts, especially in a country where over 90 percent of mothers begin breastfeeding but far fewer continue exclusively for the recommended six months.
Only 23 percent of Nigerian mothers continue breastfeeding up to two years, as advised by global health guidelines. The situation is further compounded by policy gaps: just 12 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, offer six months of paid maternity leave.
For most working mothers, returning to jobs without lactation support or adequate leave disrupts feeding patterns early on.
The importance of breast milk cannot be overstated. It acts as a natural shield against disease, supports brain development, reduces the risk of obesity later in life, and even helps mothers by lowering their chances of developing cancer or diabetes.
But despite these benefits, breastfeeding remains burdened by workplace constraints, misinformation, and weak support systems across healthcare and communities.
UNICEF is urging Nigeria to act swiftly. The agency is calling for a nationwide rollout of six-month paid maternity leave, better training for health workers, and increased public awareness campaigns. They also want employers to step up by creating lactation-friendly work environments.
“Breast milk is central to child survival,” said Wafaa Abdelatef, UNICEF’s representative in Nigeria. “Let’s mark this week not just with words, but action. Every government, employer, and community must step up.”
The call comes as Nigeria pushes forward its Nutrition 774 Initiative, aimed at tackling widespread malnutrition. Yet, breastfeeding remains one of the most underfunded and undervalued strategies in that fight. With one in three child deaths linked to malnutrition, scaling up breastfeeding could prevent thousands of avoidable deaths.
The message is clear. Breastfeeding is not just about nourishment, it is a frontline tool for survival. Nigeria now faces a choice: act boldly to support mothers or risk falling short for the next generation.
