Abuja: The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has urged stakeholders to enforce the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes to strengthen breastfeeding practices and improve child nutrition nationwide. The call was made by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, during the commemoration of the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) and the launch of the First 1,000 Days Life Nutrition Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) Campaign.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, this year’s theme, ‘Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,’ highlights the need to promote exclusive breastfeeding and improved nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life. Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ms. Daju Kachollom, Pate emphasized that this critical period determines a child’s physical growth, brain development, future productivity, and lifelong health. He warned that poor nutrition during this time leads to irreversible consequences, including stunting, impaired cognitive development, weakened immunity, and reduced economic productivity.
Pate stressed the theme’s reminder that breastfeeding is a life-saving intervention and a wise investment in healthier children, stronger families, and more resilient communities. ‘Strengthen What Works’ underscores the importance of reinforcing policies, quality health services, baby-friendly workplaces, supportive communities, and effective enforcement of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Despite high awareness, optimal breastfeeding practices remain low in Nigeria, with only 36 per cent of mothers initiating breastfeeding within one hour of birth and just 29 per cent exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months.
Mrs. Uju Rochas-Anwukah, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, described breast milk as a powerful public health intervention. She emphasized the need for families, communities, and governments to support exclusive breastfeeding, noting that breast milk provides all the essential nutrients infants need during their first six months. Vice-President Kashim Shettima has directed that breastfeeding be regarded as a national investment rather than merely a maternal choice.
UNICEF Nigeria Deputy Representative, Dr. Rownak Khan, highlighted exclusive breastfeeding as crucial for protecting children against illness, malnutrition, and preventable deaths. She pointed out that it lays a strong foundation for learning, productivity, and human capital development. Evidence suggests that scaling up breastfeeding could prevent numerous maternal and child deaths while enhancing cognitive development.
Dr. Clementina Okoro, Director of Nutrition at the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, called for stronger support for nursing mothers. Representing the National Committee on Food and Nutrition, she urged stakeholders to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding through coordinated action.
Mr. Sunday Okoronkwo, Executive Secretary of Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), described exclusive breastfeeding as vital for human capital development, healthier communities, and sustainable national development. Represented by Programme Manager Mr. Ridwan Awosanya, he encouraged governments, employers, the private sector, communities, and development partners to bolster policies and support systems that facilitate early initiation of breastfeeding.
The event also featured an interactive Pidgin English session with breastfeeding mothers from the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory.