The Bauchi State Government has approved a long-demanded policy granting six months of paid maternity leave, the establishment of breastfeeding corners, and the creation of mother-friendly workplaces to promote exclusive breastfeeding and enhance maternal welfare after childbirth.
Development partners, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and various civil society organizations (CSOs), have long advocated for extended maternity leave, improved working conditions, and lighter workloads for nursing mothers.
Currently, the state records a low exclusive breastfeeding rate of 26 percent. During a press briefing to mark the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, UNICEF’s Chief of Office in Bauchi, emphasized the critical role of breastfeeding in promoting child nutrition and survival.
According to her, there is a need to promote the “1-6-24” formula, explaining that, “It involves initiating breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding for six months, and continued breastfeeding for up to 24 months.”
She noted that many mothers in Bauchi face challenges in breastfeeding due to a lack of support from their families, communities, and employers.
Meanwhile, after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting on Monday, the Head of Service, Barr. Mohammed Sani Umaru, said that the Council has “graciously approved the six months’ paid leave for nursing mothers working with the government.
“Also, we are working with other relevant ministries like health to provide adequate breastfeeding corners at the workplace. After the expiration of the leave, we have also recommended that nursing mothers’ workload be lessened to allow them to breastfeed their children.”