The Federal Government has launched a nationwide 1,000 Days of Life Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) Campaign aimed at improving maternal and child nutrition by promoting breastfeeding and healthy feeding practices during the critical period from conception to a child’s second birthday.
The initiative was unveiled in Abuja on Monday as part of activities marking the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week, themed “Breastfeeding for Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.”
Launching the campaign, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, described breastfeeding as one of the most effective and cost-efficient interventions for improving child survival, growth and development.
“Every child deserves the healthiest possible start to life. Protecting the first 1,000 days is one of the smartest investments we can make for Nigeria’s future, and breastfeeding remains one of the most powerful tools to achieve that,” she said.
The campaign comes amid concerns over low rates of optimal breastfeeding practices despite the high number of Nigerian mothers who breastfeed.
According to the 2023/2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, about 95 per cent of Nigerian mothers breastfeed their babies. However, only 36 per cent begin breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, 29 per cent exclusively breastfeed for the first six months, and just 23 per cent continue breastfeeding until a child reaches two years of age—figures that fall below global recommendations.
Kachollom attributed the poor outcomes to delayed initiation of breastfeeding, harmful cultural beliefs, inadequate counselling, limited workplace support and the aggressive marketing of breastmilk substitutes.
She said the government is strengthening the National Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition Strategy, expanding Baby-Friendly Hospital and Community Initiatives, enforcing regulations on the marketing of breastmilk substitutes, training healthcare workers and promoting breastfeeding-friendly workplaces.
According to her, the new campaign seeks to mobilise families, communities and health workers to encourage improved maternal nutrition, early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, appropriate complementary feeding and continued breastfeeding up to two years and beyond.
The campaign also aims to increase the utilisation of Primary Health Care Centres for maternal and child health services across the country.
Director of Nutrition at the ministry, Olufunmilola Adegbite, described the initiative as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s human capital, while UNICEF and other development partners pledged continued technical and advocacy support for the programme.
In a goodwill message delivered on behalf of Vice President Kashim Shettima, Uju Rochas-Anwukah urged stakeholders to ensure the campaign reaches communities across all 774 local government areas, describing breastfeeding as an investment in Nigeria’s future.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare reaffirmed its commitment to working with state governments, healthcare workers, employers, development partners and local communities to strengthen breastfeeding support systems and improve maternal and child nutrition nationwide.
