Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on governments, health institutions, development partners, communities and families to strengthen their commitment to promoting and supporting breastfeeding as a cornerstone of child survival, maternal health and sustainable national development.
The First Lady made the appeal in a message to commemorate the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week, observed annually from August 1 to 7.
This year’s global campaign is themed, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.”
Mrs Tinubu described breastfeeding as one of the most effective investments in the health and future of children, noting that it provides the foundation for healthy growth, cognitive development and lifelong well-being.
She said breastfeeding not only benefits infants by providing essential nutrients and strengthening their immune systems but also contributes significantly to the health of mothers and the overall well-being of families and communities.
According to the First Lady, ensuring that mothers receive adequate support to breastfeed successfully is essential to building healthier families and a more productive nation.
She urged nursing mothers to embrace healthy lifestyles and maintain nutritious diets, stressing that proper nutrition is critical to their well-being and that of their babies.
Mrs Tinubu also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the global movement aimed at advancing healthy breastfeeding practices, emphasizing the need for sustained collaboration among governments, healthcare professionals, civil society organizations and development partners to create an enabling environment for mothers.
She encouraged stakeholders to intensify awareness campaigns, strengthen policies that support breastfeeding, and ensure that mothers receive the education and support needed to exclusively breastfeed their infants during the first six months of life, in line with global health recommendations.
World Breastfeeding Week is observed annually to raise awareness of the importance of breastfeeding and to encourage actions that improve maternal and child health outcomes worldwide.
