The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) yesterday joined stakeholders under the Nigeria Women in Leadership Coalition to heighten call for 16 weeks maternity leave and two weeks paternity leave to workers, as part of efforts to improve productivity and family welfare

The forum alongside care givers staged a rally at the entrance of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity yesterday in Abuja called on states government and the private sector adopt the policy , describing it as a critical step toward supporting nursing parents and strengthening workforce efficiency.

Speaking at a rally an official of the NGF, Tolu Abdul disclosed that 14 states including Abia, Bauchi, Cross River, Enugu, Ekiti, Kaduna, Ondo, Oyo and Plateau, among others, while urging others to come on board.

Abdul added that the reform is being championed to enhance the wellbeing of families, particularly mothers, who are primary caregivers, while also encouraging shared parenting responsibilities.

She said improved parental support would contribute to better mental health outcomes for women and increased productivity across organisations.

The Executive Secretary of Women in Successful Carrier (WESCA) Ekemini Akpakpan said the coalition comprising of WINBIS, NGF, WESCA said they are making the call because the have realised that if women must progress and advance in leadership they must be given the enabling environment to thrive.

She stated that one of the ways to support women is to give them parental leave with full pay in addition to other services to ensure that they fully recover

She said what we a demanding for is the bearest minimum, saying ” Let’s give parents paid maternity leave in the first place for the women and let’s also allow the fathers to be,present for 14 days for their children so they can bond.

A medical Practitioner Benson Itua while commending the rally said “in the hospital we have seen situation where the mother resume work early and they don’t have time for their babies resulting in malnutrition in this babies”

He mentioned that although some organisations give between 2-6 weeks maternity leave however babies and their mothers need at least 16 weeks for early stage.neonatal bonding is important for both the father and the mother

He said “So we are appealing to the federal government through the federal Ministry of Labour for at least 16weeks for the mother and 2weeks leave for the father’s.”

A volunteer advocate, Mrs. Priscilla Sheshima advocated for the full implementation of a 16-week paid maternity leave and two-week paid paternity leave across all sectors, particularly in the private sector, to improve family well-being and child development.

According to her, “When a woman gives birth and resumes work too early, especially after procedures like caesarean section, it affects her recovery and productivity. Sixteen weeks is necessary for full recovery and proper care of the newborn.”

Sheshima also decried situations where some organisations pay only a fraction of salaries during maternity leave, noting that full remuneration is critical to support nursing mothers during the period.

She further highlighted the importance of paternity leave, saying the presence of fathers from the early stages of a child’s life plays a crucial role in the child’s emotional and psychological development.