FG Unveils 1,000 Days of Life SBC Campaign to Boost Maternal and Child Nutrition
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding as a key strategy for improving maternal and child health, while launching the 1,000 Days of Life Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) Campaign to strengthen nutrition practices across the country.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ms. Daju Kachollom S mni, made this known during the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week commemoration and the launch of the campaign held on Monday in Abuja.
Speaking on the global theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” Daju described breastfeeding as one of the most effective, life-saving and cost-effective interventions for ensuring healthy child survival and development.
She said the theme highlights the need to reinforce proven interventions through stronger policies, quality healthcare services, baby-friendly workplaces and greater community support.
According to her, the Federal Government remains committed to safeguarding the first 1,000 days of life—from conception to a child’s second birthday—which she described as the most critical period for physical growth, brain development and lifelong health.
She warned that poor nutrition during this period can lead to irreversible consequences, including stunting, impaired cognitive development, weakened immunity and reduced productivity later in life.
Despite an estimated 95 per cent of Nigerian mothers breastfeeding their children, Daju noted that optimal breastfeeding practices remain below national and global targets.
Citing the 2023/2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), she disclosed that only 36 per cent of newborns are breastfed within the first hour of birth, 29 per cent are exclusively breastfed for the first six months, while only 23 per cent continue breastfeeding up to 24 months.
She reiterated the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, urging mothers to initiate breastfeeding within one hour after birth, practice exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and continue breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary feeding until two years of age and beyond.
The Permanent Secretary identified delayed initiation of breastfeeding, harmful cultural beliefs, inadequate counselling, limited workplace support, aggressive marketing of breastmilk substitutes and weak community participation as major barriers to optimal breastfeeding.
She stressed that addressing these challenges requires collective efforts by governments, healthcare workers, employers, development partners, communities and families.
Daju outlined several government interventions aimed at improving breastfeeding nationwide, including strengthening the National Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition Strategy, expanding Baby-Friendly Hospital and Community Initiatives, building the capacity of health workers, enforcing the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, promoting breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, supporting community breastfeeding groups and intensifying public awareness campaigns.
She explained that the newly launched 1,000 Days of Life Social and Behaviour Change Campaign is designed to improve public knowledge, encourage positive nutrition behaviours and mobilise families and communities to adopt evidence-based nutrition practices throughout pregnancy, infancy and early childhood.
According to her, the campaign promotes improved maternal nutrition, early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, timely complementary feeding, continued breastfeeding and stronger community ownership of nutrition practices.
She also encouraged pregnant women and nursing mothers to take advantage of services available at Primary Health Care Centres for antenatal care, safe delivery, postnatal care, child immunisation and nutrition services.
Earlier, the Director of the Nutrition Department at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mrs. Olufunmilola Adegbite, called for greater protection of mothers against barriers to breastfeeding and advocated supportive workplace policies.
She described breastfeeding as not only a health intervention but also an investment in education, economic productivity, environmental sustainability and national development, noting that children who receive adequate nutrition during the first 1,000 days are more likely to become healthy, educated, productive and resilient adults.
In her goodwill message, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Health, Mrs. Uju Rochas-Anwukah, conveyed the solidarity of Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima in commemorating this year’s World Breastfeeding Week.
She described breastfeeding as the single most powerful public health intervention available and expressed concern that only 29 per cent of Nigerian infants are exclusively breastfed during their first six months, while 43 per cent receive both breast milk and water.
According to her, the Vice President has directed that breastfeeding should be treated as a national investment rather than merely a maternal choice.
“A breastfed child is a healthier child. A breastfed child is a smarter child. A breastfed child is a more productive citizen in waiting,” she said.
She added that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, human capital development remains central to national development, with the first 1,000 days of a child’s life recognised as the country’s most important human capital investment.
Rochas-Anwukah further urged that the newly launched campaign should extend beyond Abuja to all 774 local government areas through the Nutrition 774 Framework, reaching every ward, Primary Health Care Centre and household across the country.
