Government unveils nationwide initiative during World Breastfeeding Week to improve maternal and child nutrition across Nigeria

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, on Monday launched the 1,000 Days of Life Social and Behaviour Change Campaign in Abuja, unveiling a nationwide initiative aimed at tackling child malnutrition and improving maternal and child health during the most critical period of early development.

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The campaign was introduced during the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week commemoration and is designed to promote healthy nutrition practices from pregnancy until a child’s second birthday.

Health experts describe this 1,000-day window as crucial for physical growth, brain development and long-term wellbeing.

The FG Launches 1,000 Days Campaign initiative also seeks to strengthen awareness of evidence-based nutrition practices while encouraging families, healthcare providers and communities to support mothers in giving children the healthiest possible start in life.

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, described breastfeeding as one of the most powerful, life-saving and cost-effective public health interventions available.

“Breastfeeding is one of the most effective, life-saving and cost-effective interventions for ensuring healthy child survival and development,” Kachollom said.

She explained that this year’s World Breastfeeding Week theme, “Breastfeeding for Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” highlights the need for stronger government policies, quality maternal healthcare services, breastfeeding-friendly workplaces and greater community support for nursing mothers.

Kachollom warned that poor nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life can have devastating and irreversible consequences, including stunted growth, impaired brain development, weakened immunity and lower productivity in adulthood.

Despite almost 95 per cent of Nigerian mothers breastfeeding their children, she noted that recommended breastfeeding practices remain significantly below global standards.

Citing findings from the 2023/2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, Kachollom said only 36 per cent of newborns are breastfed within one hour of birth.

She added that just 29 per cent of infants receive exclusive breastfeeding during their first six months, while only 23 per cent continue breastfeeding until they reach 24 months.

“These figures remind us that much more needs to be done. We must strengthen our collective commitment to ensuring that every child receives the best possible start in life,” she said.

She urged families to follow recommendations issued by the World Health Organisation and UNICEF by initiating breastfeeding within one hour after birth, exclusively breastfeeding infants for the first six months and continuing breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary feeding up to two years and beyond.

The Permanent Secretary identified delayed breastfeeding, harmful cultural beliefs, inadequate counselling, limited workplace support, aggressive marketing of breastmilk substitutes and weak community engagement among the major obstacles preventing optimal breastfeeding across Nigeria.

According to Kachollom, the Federal Government is responding by strengthening the National Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition Strategy, expanding Baby-Friendly Hospital and Community Initiatives, improving the capacity of healthcare workers, enforcing regulations on breastmilk substitute marketing and encouraging breastfeeding-friendly workplaces.

She explained that the newly launched campaign would improve public awareness, encourage healthier maternal and infant nutrition practices and mobilise communities to embrace evidence-based care during pregnancy, infancy and early childhood.

“The campaign promotes improved maternal nutrition, early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, timely complementary feeding, continued breastfeeding and stronger community ownership of optimal nutrition practices,” she said.

She also encouraged pregnant women and nursing mothers to utilise antenatal care, skilled delivery services, postnatal care, immunisation programmes and nutrition support available through Primary Health Care Centres nationwide.

Earlier, the Director of the Nutrition Department at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Olufunmilola Adegbite, described breastfeeding as far more than a health intervention, saying it represents a long-term investment in Nigeria’s economic and social development.

“Breastfeeding is not only a health intervention but an investment in education, economic productivity, environmental sustainability and national development.

A child who receives adequate nutrition during the first 1,000 days is more likely to become a healthy, educated and productive adult,” she said.

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Uju Rochas-Anwukah, said the administration wants breastfeeding to be recognised as a national priority rather than solely a maternal responsibility.

“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 said.

Rochas-Anwukah welcomed the launch of the campaign and urged governments, development partners, healthcare workers and communities to ensure its messages reach all 774 local government areas, every ward, primary healthcare centre and household across Nigeria.

The campaign builds on Nigeria’s broader efforts to reduce child malnutrition, improve maternal health outcomes and achieve global nutrition targets.

Also read: MSF raises alarm over Nigeria malnutrition crisis

In recent years, the Federal Government has expanded nutrition-focused policies and strengthened partnerships with international agencies, although experts continue to stress that sustained public education, community participation and workplace support remain essential to improving breastfeeding rates and reducing preventable child deaths.