The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged stakeholders including states government, health professionals, employers, communities, development partners and families to invest in breastfeeding inteventions.for a healthier society.
The Chief of UNICEF Field office, Enugu, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe said this at the weekend during a press briefing as part of activities marking the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week in Enugu.
This year’s event with the theme: “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works. ‘ is celebrated from August 1 to 7.
Chiluwe said by investing in breastfeeding interventions, Nigeria could reduce child deaths, improve nutrition, strengthen human capital and give every child a sustainable start in life.
“Breastfeeding is not only a mother’s responsibility it is a shared responsibility and one of Nigeria’s smartest investment in the future of it’s children, ” the UNICEF chief said.
She said although more than 90 per cent of Nigerian mothers breastfeed, optimal breastfeeding practices remained below national and global targets.
According to her, in the 2023-2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), only 29 per cent of infants under six are exclusively breastfed, adding that early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth declined by 36 per cent.
She said these figures underscored the urgent need to strengthen proven interventions that support mothers to breastfeed successfully, ” she said.
Chiluwe said the theme of the 2026 week encouraged countries to strengthen existing systems that have already proven effective in improving breastfeeding rates.
Contributing, Mrs Ngozi Onuora, Chief Nutritionist, UNICEF, Enugu Field office, said UNICEF has been partnering with both the Federal and State Governments to strengthen specific interventions on breastfeeding.
She said that the Enugu field office had supported baby-friendly facilities and strengthened community -based nutrition programmes, as well as improve maternal, newborn and child health services.
“We advocate for improved workplace protection and workplace breastfeeding services; promote implementation of international code of marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and train healthcare workers on breastfeeding counseling, ” she said.
She said through its specific interventions some states including Abia and Anambra have enacted laws on the extension of maternity leave from three to six months for working mothers.
“In Enugu State and across the South-east, UNICEF, with support from the United States Government and the Child Nutrition Fund, is working alongside government to strengthen maternal, infant and child nutrition services.
“To improve breastfeeding counselling at health facilities, mobilise communities through strategic communication and media engagement, and empower families with the support needed to give every child the healthiest start in life, ” Onuora said.
Onuora commended it’s partners including the United States Government, the Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Child Nutrition Fund, the Broadcast Corporation of Abia, Enugu State Government among others for their partnerships.
She said such partnerships had deepened it’s interventions in several areas including nutrition and breastfeeding in the nine states under it’s coverage.
