The Wife of Bauchi State Governor, Aisha Bala Mohammed, and the United Nations Children’s Fund have launched the 2026 campaign on exclusive breastfeeding among women in the state to prevent malnutrition in children.

The first lady, while flagging off this year’s breastfeeding week at the Kofar Ran Primary Healthcare Centre, in collaboration with UNICEF and the state Primary Health Care Development Board, urged women to embrace exclusive breastfeeding to reduce malnutrition among children, whom she described as the future leaders.

She was represented by the Wife of Deputy Governor, Asmau Auwal Jatau.
Aisha said that the Governor has approved the extension of maternity leave in the State civil service from four to six months in order to support exclusive breastfeeding and increase bonding, thereby reducing economic hardship.

“Nutrition Activities in the State have been supported by the government and international partners in the area of prevention and addressing moderate and severe acute Malnutrition; the present administration has approved the Child Nutrition Fund of N500,000,000.00 matching grant.

Also, addressing mothers at the facility, the UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique explained that the first 1,000 days from pregnancy until a child reaches two years of age represent the most critical period for a child’s survival, growth and brain development. “The first breast milk, known as colostrum, is like the baby’s first vaccination because it provides immunity against infections. Babies should receive breast milk within the first hour after birth without being given water, honey or any traditional mixture,” she said.

Rafique warned the mothers that introducing water or other substances before six months exposes infants to diarrhoea, respiratory infections and other illnesses that contribute significantly to malnutrition and child mortality.

She also urged communities, traditional leaders, fathers and grandparents to support breastfeeding mothers by helping with household responsibilities and discouraging harmful cultural practices that delay breastfeeding or encourage giving newborns water.

Highlighting the economic benefits of breastfeeding, the UNICEF official said studies have shown that children who are breastfed exclusively tend to have better intelligence and cognitive abilities, contributing to a healthier and more productive workforce in the future.