Exclusive Breastfeeding Rate Remains At 29% As FG Launches Nutrition Drive
Dr Nafisat Makinɗe, Abuja
Nigeria’s exclusive breastfeeding rate remains at 29%, according to the 2023–2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), as the Federal Government launched a national nutrition campaign to improve maternal and child health during the first 1,000 days of life.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and signed by Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, Ado Bako. The campaign was launched on Monday during the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week commemoration in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Ms. Daju Kachollom, said breastfeeding remains “one of the most effective, life saving and cost effective interventions” for improving child survival and development. She said the first 1,000 days, from conception to a child’s second birthday, are critical for physical growth, brain development and lifelong health, warning that poor nutrition during the period can lead to stunting, impaired cognitive development, weakened immunity and reduced productivity later in life.
Kachollom said that although about 95% of Nigerian mothers breastfeed, only 36% of newborns are breastfed within one hour of birth, while 29% of infants are exclusively breastfed for their first six months. She added that only 23% of children continue breastfeeding until 24 months, falling short of national and global recommendations.
She reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, which encourage breastfeeding within one hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary feeding until two years of age and beyond. She identified delayed breastfeeding, harmful cultural beliefs, inadequate counselling, limited workplace support, aggressive marketing of breast milk substitutes and weak community participation as major barriers to optimal breastfeeding.
According to the Permanent Secretary, government interventions include strengthening the National Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition Strategy, expanding Baby Friendly Hospital and Community Initiatives, training health workers, enforcing the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, promoting breastfeeding friendly workplaces, supporting community breastfeeding groups and increasing public awareness. She said the First 1,000 Days of Life Social and Behaviour Change Campaign is designed to improve maternal nutrition, promote positive feeding practices and encourage community participation throughout pregnancy, infancy and early childhood.
Earlier, the ministry’s Director of Nutrition, Mrs. Olufunmilola Adegbite, called for stronger workplace policies to support breastfeeding, describing it as an investment in health, education, economic productivity, environmental sustainability and national development. She urged governments, employers and communities to remove barriers that prevent mothers from breastfeeding successfully.
In a goodwill message, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Mrs. Uju Rochas-Anwukah, conveyed the support of Vice President Kashim Shettima for the campaign. She said records showing that only 29% of Nigerian infants are exclusively breastfed, while 43% receive breast milk and water together, underscore the need for stronger action. Quoting the Vice President, she said, “This is why the Vice President has directed that breastfeeding be treated, not only as a maternal choice, but as a national investment. A breastfed child is a healthier child. A breastfed child is a smarter child. A breastfed child is a more productive citizen in waiting.” She added that the campaign should extend to all 774 local government areas through the Nutrition 774 framework.