The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Bauchi State Government have intensified efforts to combat child malnutrition with a planned N1 billion investment under the Child Nutrition Fund in 2026, while urging mothers to embrace exclusive breastfeeding during a child’s first 1,000 days of life.

The commitment was reaffirmed during the flag-off of the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week in Bauchi, where government officials and UNICEF experts described exclusive breastfeeding as one of the most cost-effective interventions for preventing child malnutrition, reducing infant deaths and improving children’s cognitive development.

UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Bauchi, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, said the state had already allocated N500 million as counterpart funding to the Child Nutrition Fund in 2026, with UNICEF expected to provide a matching N500 million, bringing the total investment to N1 billion for nutrition interventions.

She commended Governor Bala Mohammed for supporting nutrition programmes and approving six months of paid maternity leave for mothers in the state, describing the policy as a significant step toward improving exclusive breastfeeding rates.

According to her, while more than 90 per cent of mothers in Bauchi breastfeed their children, only about 26 per cent practice exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, while early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth remains as low as 12 per cent.

She 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 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.

She noted that UNICEF would continue supporting Bauchi through its First 1,000 Days programme, Zero Water Campaign, immunisation, maternal nutrition, sanitation and hygiene interventions aimed at reducing malnutrition among children.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, described exclusive breastfeeding as the foundation of child survival, insisting that breast milk alone provides all the nutrients and water a baby requires during the first six months of life.

He dismissed the widespread belief that women should avoid breastfeeding because it affects the appearance of their breasts, saying such misconceptions have deprived many children of adequate nutrition.

“Breast milk contains about 80 per cent water. There is absolutely no need to give babies water before they are six months old. Exclusive breastfeeding is the answer to reducing severe malnutrition,” Mohammed said.

He added that children who are exclusively breastfed enjoy stronger immunity, suffer fewer illnesses and have better intellectual development than those introduced early to water or other foods.

He added that breastfeeding should continue alongside appropriate complementary feeding after six months until a child reaches two years of age, urging journalists to sustain public enlightenment campaigns against misinformation surrounding infant feeding.

The event formed part of activities marking the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week, themed “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” with stakeholders calling for greater investment in maternal and child nutrition to reduce malnutrition and improve child survival in Bauchi State.