FG Urges Stakeholders To Enforce Breastfeeding Code, Boost Child Nutrition

By Aderogba George

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 Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, made the call on Monday in Abuja 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.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this year’s theme is: “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.”

Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ms Daju Kachollom, Pate said the campaign would promote exclusive breastfeeding and improved nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life.

He described the period as a critical window that determines a child’s physical growth, brain development, future productivity and lifelong health.

According to him, poor nutrition during this period leads to irreversible consequences, including stunting, impaired cognitive development, weakened immunity and reduced economic productivity.

“The theme reminds us that breastfeeding is a life-saving intervention and one of the smartest investments in healthier children, stronger families and more resilient communities.

“‘Strengthen What Works’ means reinforcing policies, quality health services, baby-friendly workplaces, supportive communities and effective enforcement of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.

“Nigeria continues to face the triple burden of malnutrition comprising undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and rising overweight and obesity,” he said.

Pate, however, noted that optimal breastfeeding practices remained low despite high awareness.

According to him, although 95 per cent of mothers breastfeed, only 36 per cent initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth, while just 29 per cent exclusively breastfeed for the first six months.

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding, particularly during the first 1,000 days of life.

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In a keynote address, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Mrs Uju Rochas-Anwukah, described breast milk as one of the most powerful public health interventions available to any nation.

She said the theme underscored the need for families, communities and governments to strengthen support for exclusive breastfeeding.

According to her, breast milk provides all the nutrients infants need during their first six months of life.

Rochas-Anwukah said Vice-President Kashim Shettima had directed that breastfeeding be treated not merely as a maternal choice but as a national investment.

“A breastfed child is a healthier child, a smarter child and a more productive citizen in waiting.

“This campaign must not end in Abuja. It must reach all 774 local government areas through the Nutrition 774 framework and extend to every ward, primary healthcare centre and household,” she said.

Also speaking, UNICEF Nigeria Deputy Representative, Dr Rownak Khan, described exclusive breastfeeding as a child’s first protection against illness, malnutrition and preventable deaths.

She said it also laid a strong foundation for learning, productivity and human capital development.

According to her, evidence consistently shows that scaling up breastfeeding could prevent hundreds of thousands of maternal and child deaths while improving children’s cognitive development.

Similarly, the Director of Nutrition, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Clementina Okoro, called for stronger support for nursing mothers.

Representing the National Committee on Food and Nutrition, Okoro urged stakeholders to promote, protect and support breastfeeding through coordinated action.

The Executive Secretary of Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), Mr Sunday Okoronkwo, described exclusive breastfeeding as the foundation for human capital development, healthier communities and sustainable national development.

Represented by the organisation’s Programme Manager, Mr Ridwan Awosanya, Okoronkwo urged governments, employers, the private sector, communities and development partners to strengthen policies and support systems that enable mothers to initiate breastfeeding early.

He also advocated policies that support exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding in line with global recommendations.

NAN reports that the event featured an interactive Pidgin English session with breastfeeding mothers from the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory. (NAN)

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Edited by Folashade Akpan