As Nigeria joined the global community to commemorate World Breastfeeding Week 2025, the Federal government has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting, protecting, and supporting breastfeeding as a vital pillar of national development.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate,
stated this at the national commemoration event held at the National Hospital, Abuja.
Speaking through the Director of Nutrition, Dr. Bako, the minister
expressed profound appreciation to all stakeholders championing breastfeeding and maternal-child health initiatives across the country.
He underscored the critical importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, followed by continued breastfeeding up to two years and beyond, noting that such practices significantly enhance child survival, cognitive development, and long-term national productivity.
I “Breastfeeding benefits not just babies, but also mothers, families, communities, and the nation. It is a cost-effective, natural intervention that reduces malnutrition, improves brain development, and lowers disease burden,” said Dr. Bako.
Reflecting on the 2025 theme, “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems,” the Minister emphasized the urgent need for collective action to establish environments that empower mothers to breastfeed successfully.
Professor Pate acknowledged Nigeria’s progress but highlighted ongoing challenges, noting that the country’s exclusive breastfeeding rate stands at 29%, far below the global average and the WHO target of 50%.
To close this gap, he outlined key government-led interventions, including:
Training health professionals to provide skilled breastfeeding counseling and support.
Implementing supportive policies for working mothers, such as paid maternity leave and breastfeeding breaks.
Enforcing regulations against the unethical marketing of breastmilk substitutes.
“Breastfeeding is not a one-week campaign. It requires year-round advocacy, practical support, and unwavering commitment across all sectors,” he stated.
Dr. Bako further called on political leaders, policymakers, families, communities, workplaces, religious leaders, and the private sector to take ownership of breastfeeding promotion and ensure widespread dissemination of breastfeeding messages across all platforms.
He emphasized that improved breastfeeding practices go beyond health outcomes and contribute to malnutrition reduction, food security, poverty alleviation, and human capital development.
“When we create sustainable support systems for breastfeeding mothers, we’re not just investing in a healthier future — we’re laying the foundation for national growth and prosperity,” he added.
Also speaking, UNICEF representative, Submit Karen, called for urgent, coordinated efforts to scale up breastfeeding practices in Nigeria. He described breastfeeding as a public health priority essential for reducing child mortality, enhancing maternal health, and boosting national development.
Karen’s recommendations included:
Training frontline health workers
Investing in community health structures
Supporting working mothers
Enforcing regulations on breastmilk substitutes.
He urged Nigerian policymakers to treat breastfeeding as a strategic national investment, reaffirming UNICEF’s commitment to supporting “one baby, one mother, one nation at a time.”
In her remarks, Mrs. Uju Rochas Anwukah, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, advocated for stronger national systems to support breastfeeding across homes, workplaces, healthcare institutions, and communities.
Calling breastmilk “nature’s perfect food,” Anwukah noted that while breastfeeding is cost-effective, mothers require appropriate support to succeed. She commended recent government efforts, including improved maternity and paternity leave, legislative support, and the Nutrition 774 Initiative spearheaded by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
“Breastfeeding is critical not just for child survival, but for the future of our nation. When we nourish the child, we secure the future of Nigeria,” she stated.
Representing the FCT Primary Healthcare Services, Dr. Ogechi Akalonu reiterated that breastfeeding is both a health and environmental priority. She emphasized that with the right support, every mother can breastfeed successfully, and primary healthcare centers are essential in providing the necessary education and guidance.
Dr. Akalonu also stressed that breastmilk is universally high in quality and that proper technique and frequent feeding are key to breastfeeding success. She called on all stakeholders to unite in ensuring that breastfeeding is fully supported in every Nigerian community.
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