Federal Government has launched the 1,000 Days of Life Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) Campaign, a nationwide initiative aimed at improving maternal and child nutrition by promoting optimal breastfeeding and healthy feeding practices during the critical period from conception to a child’s second birthday.
The campaign was unveiled on Monday in Abuja as part of activities marking the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week, themed “Breastfeeding for Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works.” It reinforces the Federal Government’s commitment to improving child survival, reducing malnutrition and giving every Nigerian child the healthiest possible start to life. Speaking at the launch, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom S. mni, described breastfeeding as one of the most effective, life-saving and cost-effective interventions for 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.
According to the 2023/2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), although about 95 per cent of Nigerian mothers breastfeed, only 36 per cent initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, 29 per cent exclusively breastfeed for the first six months, while only 23 per cent continue breastfeeding up to two years, all below recommended global standards.
Daju said the figures underscore the urgent need to strengthen interventions during the first 1,000 days of life. She identified delayed initiation of breastfeeding, harmful cultural beliefs, inadequate counselling, limited workplace support and the aggressive marketing of breastmilk substitutes as key barriers to optimal breastfeeding. Government interventions, she said, include strengthening the National Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition Strategy, expanding Baby-Friendly Hospital and Community Initiatives, enforcing the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, building the capacity of healthcare workers and promoting breastfeeding-friendly workplaces.
She explained that the new campaign will mobilise families, communities and health workers to promote improved maternal nutrition, early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, appropriate complementary feeding and continued breastfeeding up to two years and beyond, while encouraging greater utilisation 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. Development partners, including UNICEF, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Federal Government through technical assistance, advocacy and community-based behaviour change interventions.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, Uju Rochas-Anwukah urged stakeholders to ensure the campaign reaches communities across all 774 Local Government Areas, describing breastfeeding as a national investment in Nigeria’s future.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare reaffirmed its commitment to working with state governments, development partners, healthcare workers, employers, communities and families to strengthen breastfeeding support systems, improve maternal and child nutrition, and ensure every Nigerian child receives the healthiest possible start during the first 1,000 days of life.