Nigeria Launches 1,000 Days Campaign To Boost Maternal, Child Nutrition

The Federal Government has launched a nationwide 1,000 Days of Life Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) Campaign to improve maternal and child nutrition by promoting breastfeeding and healthy feeding practices during the critical period from conception to a child’s second birthday.

The campaign 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 initiative, 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 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 despite widespread adoption by Nigerian mothers.

According to the 2023/2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, about 95% of mothers breastfeed, but only 36% begin within the first hour after birth, 29% exclusively breastfeed for the first six months, and just 23% continue breastfeeding until two years, all below global recommendations.

Kachollom attributed the poor outcomes to delayed breastfeeding initiation, harmful cultural beliefs, inadequate counselling, limited workplace support and 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 encouraging breastfeeding-friendly workplaces.

The new campaign aims to mobilise families, communities and health workers to promote 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.

It also seeks to increase the use of Primary Health Care Centres for maternal and child health services.

Director of Nutrition, 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.

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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 said it would continue working with state governments, healthcare workers, employers, development partners and communities to strengthen breastfeeding support systems and improve maternal and child nutrition nationwide.