The Zamfara State administration has officially sanctioned a six-month maternity leave period for female civil servants. This policy shift intends to promote exclusive breastfeeding and bolster the health outcomes for both mothers and their infants.
Yakubu Haidara, the State Head of Service, announced the development on Thursday in Gusau while meeting with representatives from the Civil Society–Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN). Haidara stated that this move underscores Governor Dauda Lawal’s dedication to combating child malnutrition throughout the region.
The extended leave is designed to allow mothers sufficient recovery time, mitigate postpartum depression risks, and foster stronger emotional connections between parent and child. Haidara noted that the government remains aligned with civil society groups in their mission to safeguard the health of future generations.
Highlighting past initiatives, Haidara mentioned that Governor Lawal authorized N500 million in counterpart funding for nutrition programs last year, with expectations for continued or increased financial backing in the current year. The government remains committed to collaborating with development partners to address malnutrition challenges.
Kabiru Jangeru, the CS-SUNN state coordinator, lauded the decision as a significant milestone. He acknowledged the ongoing advocacy efforts by his organization and UNICEF, which have long pushed for improved nutrition funding and the implementation of this six-month maternity leave policy.
