The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has commended the Kaduna State Government’s six-month paid maternity leave policy and the introduction of breastfeeding-friendly workplaces, describing the measures as critical investments that will improve maternal and child nutrition, boost workforce productivity and reduce long-term healthcare costs.
The commendation came during a press briefing in Kaduna to mark the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week, where UNICEF said the state’s policies are creating an enabling environment for mothers to exclusively breastfeed, improve child survival and strengthen human capital development.
UNICEF Nutrition Specialist at the Kaduna Field Office, Chinwe Ezeife, said the organisation, in partnership with the Kaduna State Government and development partners, is leveraging this year’s celebration to reinforce the First 1,000 Days Initiative, which covers the period from conception until a child’s second birthday.
She described the initiative as a package of evidence-based interventions designed to improve children’s health, nutrition and cognitive development while
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