…as State Kicks Off World Breastfeeding Week with Renewed Commitment to Maternal and Child Health
By Bunmi Yekini
Lagos State has announced a significant milestone in its efforts to improve child nutrition, revealing that its exclusive breastfeeding rate has climbed to 57.4%, exceeding the global benchmark of 50%. This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, *Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, during a press briefing on Tuesday to mark the flag-off of the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week.
Describing the achievement as “a major step forward,” Dr. Ogunyemi noted that while Lagos is leading nationally in breastfeeding rates, the state is also tackling a critical gap—only 14% of newborns in the state are breastfed within the first hour of birth.
“When babies miss out on colostrum, which is rich in antibodies, their immunity is compromised from the start,” she explained. “We are addressing gaps in service delivery, tackling myths, and training midwives to ensure that more babies receive that vital first feed immediately after birth.”
The theme for this year’s World Breastfeeding Week, “Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems,” underscores the state’s focus on long-term institutional and social support for mothers, particularly working women.
“This is not just a maternal health issue,” Dr. Ogunyemi stated. “It is a public health, economic and developmental concern. That’s why we’re urging both public and private employers to create enabling environments for breastfeeding.”
Lagos remains the first Nigerian state to implement a six-month paid maternity leave and two-week paternity leave for the first two deliveries across public institutions, a policy many experts believe is essential to achieving sustained breastfeeding.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Folashade Oludara, Director of Family Health and Nutrition at the Ministry of Health, stressed that exclusive breastfeeding is not only the healthiest option for infants but also the most cost-effective.
“It’s free, always available, and has no adverse side effects,” she said. “Especially during these economic times, mothers should know that formula is not a necessity. Also, let’s debunk the myth, breastfeeding doesn’t make your breasts sag.”
Dr. Oludara also emphasized the protective health benefits of breastfeeding for mothers, including reduced risk of breast cancer, while urging the media to help dispel long-held misconceptions.
In a goodwill message, Dr. (Mrs.) Lola Alonge, Founder of the Child Health Advocacy Initiative and UN Nutrition Champion to Nigeria, commended Lagos for leading the way in maternity policy.
“Lagos pioneered this over a decade ago, but only about nine other states have followed. We need the private sector to catch up,” she said. “Most working women are in the private sector, if they’re not given six months’ paid leave, we can’t realistically meet our national breastfeeding goals.”
Dr. Alonge also called for the establishment of breastmilk banks across Nigeria as part of a wider strategy to support mothers and reduce infant mortality.
Mrs. Wunmi Ajayi, State Team Lead for Alive and Thrive, highlighted the importance of early initiation of breastfeeding, warning that missing that crucial first hour can derail the exclusive breastfeeding journey.
“If that critical window is missed, it becomes harder to sustain breastfeeding. The support is there, mothers just need to cooperate,” she said, calling for tighter regulation of breastmilk substitute marketing and greater public awareness.
Wrapping up the event, Mr. Olatunbosun Ogunbanwo, Director of Public Affairs, praised the efforts of health workers, civil society, and the media.
“This is one of the most important public health conversations. Let’s keep it going beyond this week, until every woman in Lagos knows the power and importance of breastfeeding,” he urged.
Lagos State’s month-long World Breastfeeding Week campaign includes facility-based outreaches, media sensitization, and stakeholder forums, all aimed at eliminating cultural, institutional, and informational barriers to breastfeeding.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to continued partnerships with global and local organizations like UNICEF, Save the Children, Alive and Thrive, and the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN),
World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated globally from August 1 to 7, but in Lagos, the campaign extends throughout August, underscoring the state’s determination to make breastfeeding a priority not just for one week, but year-round.