The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has called on stakeholders to strengthen the enforcement of the International Code of Marketing of Breast milk Substitutes as part of efforts to improve breastfeeding practices and tackle child malnutrition in Nigeria.
According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, made the call during the commemoration of the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week and the launch of the First 1,000 Days Life Nutrition Social and Behaviour Change Campaign in Abuja.
Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ms Daju Kachollom, Pate described the first 1,000 days of a child’s life as a critical period that determines physical growth, brain development, immunity and future productivity.
He said poor nutrition during the period could result in stunting, impaired cognitive development, weakened immunity and reduced economic potential, stressing that breastfeeding remains one of the most effective and cost efficient public health interventions.
The minister noted that while about 95 per cent of Nigerian mothers breastfeed, only 36 per cent begin breastfeeding within one hour of delivery, and just 29 per cent exclusively breastfeed their babies during the first six months of life.
He said the Federal Government remains committed to strengthening policies, improving healthcare services, supporting baby friendly workplaces and enforcing the International Code of Marketing of Breast milk Substitutes to improve child nutrition.
Speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Mrs Uju Rochas Anwukah, said Vice President Kashim Shettima had directed that breastfeeding be treated as a national investment rather than a personal choice, calling for the campaign to reach all 774 local government areas.
UNICEF Nigeria Deputy Representative, Dr Rownak Khan, described exclusive breastfeeding as a child’s first protection against illness, malnutrition and preventable deaths, while the Executive Secretary of Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria, Mr Sunday Okoronkwo, called for stronger policies and workplace support to enable mothers to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months.
The event also featured the launch of the First 1,000 Days Life Nutrition Social and Behaviour Change Campaign and an interactive session with breastfeeding mothers from the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory.
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