…Calls on media to lead advocacy ahead of 2026 World Breastfeeding Week

The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has raised serious concern over Nigeria’s low rate of exclusive breastfeeding, revealing that two out of every three Nigerian children are not exclusively breastfed despite clear evidence of its benefits to child survival and development.

UNICEF made the call on Friday at a two-day Zonal Media Dialogue in Enugu ahead of the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7, with the theme “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.”

The dialogue which  was organized by UNICEF in collaboration with the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State, BCA, with support from the United States Mission in Nigeria, Child Nutrition Fund, Gates Foundation and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was attended by participants from Cross River,  Benue,  Enugu and Imo States.

In his welcome address,  the Social and Behavioral Change Communication SBC Specialist,  UNICEF Field Office, Enugu, Dr. Hilary Ozoh, described breastfeeding as one of the most effective and cost-efficient investments any nation can make.

“Breastfeeding provides infants with the best possible start in life by strengthening immunity, improving cognitive development, reducing childhood illnesses and enhancing maternal health,” he said. 
He added that it also contributes significantly to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals  on health, nutrition, education and poverty reduction.

However, Dr. Ozoh lamented that many mothers still face barriers due to misinformation, harmful cultural beliefs, inadequate workplace support and inconsistent public messaging.

“Despite the overwhelming evidence supporting breastfeeding, many families continue to face barriers. Addressing these challenges requires collective action, and the media has a unique and indispensable role to play,” he said.

He urged journalists to go beyond event reporting and become advocates capable of shaping public opinion and influencing behavioral change.

“The media is not merely a channel for information dissemination; it is a powerful partner in shaping public opinion, influencing policy, amplifying evidence-based messages and inspiring positive behaviour change,” Dr. Ozoh added.

UNICEF Communication Officer, Enugu Field Office, Dr. Ijeoma Onuoha-Ogwe, said the dialogue aimed to harmonize advocacy messages for WBW 2026 in line with guidelines from the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action, WABA.

She said the programme would strengthen journalists’ capacity to report evidence-based information on breastfeeding, Infant and Young Child Feeding, maternal nutrition and child survival, while fostering partnerships among media, government and development partners.

Participants from Cross River, Benue, Enugu and Imo states are expected to develop state-specific media action plans to sustain breastfeeding advocacy beyond the annual campaign.

In a presentation, Public Health Physician, Dr. Chikezie Obasi of Enugu State University of Technology, ESUT, urged journalists to promote WHO and UNICEF recommendations: initiate breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, practice exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and continue breastfeeding with safe complementary foods up to two years or beyond.

“Exclusive breastfeeding remains one of the most effective strategies for improving child survival, strengthening immunity, supporting healthy growth and reducing avoidable healthcare costs,” he said.

UNICEF Nutrition Specialist, Mrs. Ngozi Onuora, who painted a worrying picture of current practices disclosed that   “Two out of three children are not exclusively breastfed,” noting that while early initiation has improved, the overall exclusive breastfeeding rate remains far below national targets.

She blamed poor family support, misinformation, workplace barriers, aggressive marketing of breast-milk substitutes and inadequate counselling for the trend.

“Media are critical partners in improving breastfeeding outcomes,” Mrs. Onuora said, urging journalists to increase evidence-based reporting, amplify success stories and sustain public education campaigns.

Also speaking, the Director-General of Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State BCA, Mr. Francis Nwubani, represented by Mr. Nkpa Okezie, reaffirmed the corporation’s partnership with UNICEF. 

“We are solidly behind UNICEF on this programme and participants will be better informed at the end of the meeting,” he said.

Participants at the dialogue included journalists, officials of the Ministries of Health and Information, and nutrition focal persons from the four participating states.