Health
90% of Nigerian mothers breastfeed — UNICEF
Over 90 per cent of Nigerian mothers breastfeed their babies, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said.
The Chief of Nutrition at UNICEF Nigeria, Nemat Hajeebhoy, disclosed this on Friday at the flag-off of the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week held in Ambursa, Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
While hailing the figure as “good news,” Hajeebhoy warned that recent surveys point to a troubling decline in the practice of exclusive breastfeeding, urging urgent, collective support for mothers across the country.
“We are gathered here for one single mission, and that mission is to put mothers and babies first by building a sustainable support system for every mother and every child in Nigeria,” she said.
She continued, “Breastfeeding is not just food; it is a newborn’s first vaccine and a vital means of survival. The right to breastfeed is enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Nigeria is a signatory.”
The event was jointly organised by UNICEF and Kebbi State Government to promote exclusive breastfeeding and child survival, in line with this year’s global theme: “Let’s make breastfeeding and work, work.”
Hajeebhoy applauded Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, for approving six months of maternity leave for civil servants in the state, describing it as a “bold, strategic move” to enable working mothers care for their infants.
“Breastfeeding is not just a nice thing to do, but a key strategy for safeguarding children’s health and future,” she added.
Also speaking at the event, the wife of the Kebbi State Governor, Nafisa Nasir-Idris, called on women to embrace exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first six months, saying it boosts a child’s intelligence, resilience and overall development.
She also urged women to prioritise personal and environmental hygiene to curb disease outbreaks.
“As a mother and advocate, I commend all women who have remained committed to exclusive breastfeeding. I also thank my husband for his support and for prioritising the health sector,” Mrs Nasir-Idris said.
To further encourage the practice, the governor’s wife donated a bag of rice, a set of baby clothing and ₦10,000 to 20 mothers who exclusively breastfed their babies. Pregnant women also received gifts, while other women in attendance each got a bag of rice.
Speaking earlier, UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Sokoto, Michael Juma, stressed the need for early initiation and continuation of breastfeeding for up to two years, while urging policy makers to make breastfeeding a national priority.
On his part, the Kebbi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Yunusa Musa Isma’il, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maternal and child health, saying the state will continue to provide counterpart funding to tackle malnutrition and support critical health initiatives.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Halima Hassan-Kamba, also encouraged more women to practise exclusive breastfeeding, citing its numerous health and emotional benefits for both mother and child.
The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Aderemi Oseni, has pledged to support the breast cancer awareness programme of the ABC Foundation founded by former Oyo First Lady, Dr. Florence Ajimobi.
Oseni, who is Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), made the commitment on Thursday in Ibadan at the flag-off of Pink Month 2025, an initiative of the foundation.
Contained in a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker described the campaign as a “lifesaving mission” given the rising burden of breast cancer in Nigeria, with over 28,000 new cases and thousands of deaths reported annually.
The APC chieftain said the free screening of 1,000 women planned by the foundation was timely, stressing that early detection remained the strongest weapon in the fight against cancer.
Hon. Aderemi Oseni exchanging pleasantries with former Oyo State First Lady, Dr. (Mrs.) Florence Ajimobi, at the event.
“Health is life. Only this June, I moved a motion at the National Assembly which led to the Federal Government subsidising dialysis treatment nationwide. Today, dialysis is either free or heavily discounted in federal health facilities,” Oseni said.
He listed his personal interventions to include funding hospital bills of indigent patients, construction of hospitals in Ido and Ibarapa East, establishment of primary health centres, and organisation of medical outreaches. He also disclosed plans to deploy mobile clinics to rural areas.
Commending Mrs. Ajimobi for sustaining her late husband’s legacy through humanitarian service, Oseni assured of partnership with the foundation, saying women’s wellbeing and empowerment remained central to his vision for Oyo State.
In her remarks, Mrs. Ajimobi said the foundation had offered medical care to over 85,000 patients and conducted more than 100,000 investigations since its inception. She added that the campaign was not just corporate social responsibility but “a moral duty and sacred trust.”
The former first lady, who lost her daughter Abisola to breast cancer earlier this year, said the experience had strengthened her resolve to save other families from such tragedy. She appealed to women to take advantage of the free screening and called on partners and development agencies to support the fight.
Chairman of Fidson Healthcare Plc, Dr. Fidelis Akhagboso Ayebae, and Chief Executive Officer of Hazon Holdings, Dr. Victor ’Gbenga Afolabi, are set to lead discussions at the second edition of the D’Bio Wellness & Selfcare Summit.
The event is scheduled to hold on September 24 and 25 at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Conference and Exhibition Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.
This year’s summit has the theme: “Self-Care as a Driver of Optimal Health and Wellness.”
Ayebae will serve as chairman of the event, while Afolabi, who is also the co-founder of Wellness HMO, will deliver the keynote address.
Ayebae, founder of Fidson Healthcare, is regarded as one of Nigeria’s leading pharmaceutical entrepreneurs. He is a fellow of the Institute of Directors Nigeria and the Institute of Corporate Affairs Management, and has held significant roles in the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.
Afolabi has more than 20 years’ experience spanning healthcare, finance, technology and marketing. He is also the founder of the Eko Innovation Centre, a Lagos-based technology hub that supports start-ups and young entrepreneurs.
Convener of the summit, Dr. Monica Hemben Eimunjeze, said the event would focus on practical steps to improve health outcomes through self-care.
She said, “We are excited to welcome Dr. Ayebae and Dr. Afolabi as pivotal figures in our quest to enhance health literacy and empower individuals to prioritise self-care. This summit is not just about discussions; it is about actionable insights that can inspire and transform lives.”
The organisers said the two-day summit is open to the public and will feature panel sessions with health and wellness experts, attracting healthcare professionals, advocates and business leaders.
The Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Moor Plantation, Apata, Ibadan, has joined the campaign to eradicate malaria in Nigeria.
The initiative followed the unveiling of the Geneith Health Competition on the institution’s campus on Tuesday.
The competition, organised by CEOAfrica in partnership with Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited and powered by Coatal Forte Softgel, targets students of tertiary and secondary schools nationwide to spread knowledge on malaria prevention.
Convener of the project, Mr. Cletus Ilobanafo, said the programme was designed to raise awareness through a structured health contest at the state, regional and national levels.
He said Geneith Pharmaceuticals has committed N1 billion to the project, with N400 million earmarked for scholarships and N600 million for gift items to motivate participants. “By promoting education and prevention strategies, this competition underscores the dedication of all stakeholders in combating malaria and improving public health in Nigeria,” Ilobanafo added.
The Provost of the College, Dr. Chidi Okpeze, praised the organisers for selecting the institution as a launch platform for the campaign. He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, for their commitment to repositioning the livestock sector to boost national growth.
“Our students are ready to key into this initiative. They are articulate, active, and have represented us well in international competitions. We are confident they will excel in this campaign too,” he said.
The Provost urged the students to brace up for the task ahead and uphold the institution’s tradition of excellence.
Some students, who spoke on behalf of their colleagues, pledged to support the anti-malaria campaign by intensifying environmental sanitation on campus. They also commended the organisers and sponsors for giving them the opportunity to contribute to the fight against malaria.
They promised to sustain clean surroundings and spread the message beyond the school to ensure malaria is eradicated from the system.
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