Lagos State has surpassed global breastfeeding targets, with over half of its infants now receiving exclusive nutrition from mothers’ milk, though challenges persist in ensuring newborns benefit from early feeding practices. Health officials announced that exclusive breastfeeding rates in Nigeria’s most populous state have reached 57.4%, exceeding the World Health Organization’s 50% benchmark. The milestone comes amid renewed efforts to strengthen child nutrition policies during World Breastfeeding Week 2025.
While celebrating the achievement, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Health Adviser to Lagos’ Governor, highlighted a critical gap: only 14% of newborns begin breastfeeding within the crucial first hour after birth. Delays, she warned, deprive infants of colostrum—the antibody-rich “first milk”—leaving them vulnerable to infections. Cultural practices favoring glucose water or formula, alongside gaps in healthcare training, were identified as key barriers. “Missing this golden hour compromises immunity from day one,” Ogunyemi said, noting retraining programs for birth attendants to improve initiation protocols.
Authorities tied progress to policy reforms, including Africa’s first six-month paid maternity leave for public-sector workers—a measure activists say remains uncommon in Nigeria’s private industries. “This isn’t just about time off work; it’s about building a society where breastfeeding is logistically possible,” Ogunyemi added, urging private employers to match public-sector benefits. The policy, paired with expanded prenatal education on lactation, aims to sustain gains as economic strains make affordable nutrition vital.
Dr. Folashade Oludara of Lagos’ Health Ministry emphasized breastfeeding’s dual benefits during a cost-of-living crisis: “It costs nothing, prevents diseases, and reduces breast cancer risks—dispelling myths about physical effects is crucial.” Her appeal for media campaigns against misinformation echoed concerns that cultural stigmas still deter some mothers.
Advocates acknowledged Lagos’ pioneering role—it introduced paid parental leave in 2014—but stressed systemic hurdles. “Public policies alone won’t suffice when 70% of Nigerian women work informally or in private firms without such protections,” said Dr. Lola Alonge, a child health advocate. Her warning underscores a national challenge: without broader employer participation, Nigeria risks missing global nutrition targets despite regional success.
The state’s multipronged approach—combining healthcare training, workplace reforms, and public education—offers a potential blueprint for improving child survival rates. However, as inflation strains household budgets and cultural practices evolve, experts stress that sustaining progress requires dismantling barriers both in hospital wards and corporate boardrooms.
