Hajiya Fatima Bago, the wife of the Niger governor, has called on stakeholders to champion breastfeeding by creating more supportive workplaces for nursing mothers. She made a specific appeal for organizations to implement flexible schedules that accommodate the needs of new mothers.
The first lady’s call was made on Thursday in Minna during the inauguration of 2025 World Breastfeeding Week, an event organized by the Niger Ministry for Primary Healthcare in collaboration with her office. the week’s theme, “prioritise breastfeeding, create a sustainable support system,” provided a backdrop for her message.
Hajiya Bago underscored the profound benefits of breastfeeding, describing breast milk as a “perfect gift from nature.” she reiterated that it not only provides a complete source of nourishment for children but also strengthens the vital bond between mother and child, safeguarding the health of both.
“Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside complementary feeding up to two years and beyond provides unmatched benefits.
“For babies, it protects against infections, allergies and diseases, for mothers, it reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, aids post delivery recovery and promotes emotional well-being,” she said.
The governor’s wife noted that inspite of these benefits, many nursing mothers still face significant barriers from lack of information and societal pressure to unsupportive work environment.
She urged stakeholders to create breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, honour maternity leave and provide lactation rooms for nursing mothers.
He promised to use her office to continue to champion initiatives that would promote mother-and-child health, advocate for policies that enable breastfeeding, and support programmes that create safe and inclusive spaces for nursing mothers.
In his address, Dr Dangana Ibrahim, Commissioner for Primary Healthcare in Niger, reiterated that the state government had approved six months paid maternity leave for lactating mothers and two weeks paternity leave for fathers.
Ibrahim, represented by Dr Mohammed Gana, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said the state government was committed to providing resources and championing best practices for work-related breastfeeding support across the state.
He disclosed that the exclusive breastfeeding rates in the state stood at 13.2 per cent while vitamin A supplementation was at 98 per cent.
Dr Ahmed Tsoho, Health Specialist, UNICEF Kaduna Field Office, commended Niger government for approving paid maternity leave of six months for new members and two week paternity leave for fathers to support breastfeeding.
He reiterated UNICEF’s commitment to supporting Niger government in promoting breastfeeding and maternal and child health.
