Zamfara 6-month maternity leave policy gives female civil servants extended time for breastfeeding, recovery and improved maternal health

The Zamfara State Government has approved a six-month maternity leave policy for female civil servants in Gusau on Thursday, 9 July 2026, in a move aimed at improving maternal health and promoting exclusive breastfeeding for infants.

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The approval was announced by the State Head of Service, Alhaji Yakubu Haidara, while receiving a delegation from Civil Society–Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), which had advocated for longer maternity leave, stronger nutrition funding and improved budget monitoring.

Haidara said the policy reflected Governor Dauda Lawal’s commitment to tackling child malnutrition and supporting healthier outcomes for mothers and babies across the state.

“I believe the governor’s approval is aimed at addressing malnutrition among children in the state,” Haidara said.

He explained that extended maternity leave would give mothers adequate time for physical recovery after childbirth, encourage exclusive breastfeeding and strengthen early emotional bonding between mothers and their children.

“It provides essential time for physical recovery, prevents postpartum depression, facilitates exclusive breastfeeding and promotes vital emotional bonding,” he added.

The Head of Service said the government would continue working with civil society groups and development partners to improve nutrition programmes and reduce challenges affecting child health.

He also recalled that Governor Lawal approved N500 million in counterpart funding for nutrition activities in the previous year, expressing confidence that the administration would sustain or increase support for such programmes.

Earlier, CS-SUNN State Coordinator Kabiru Jangeru described the approval as an important step towards improving maternal and child nutrition in Zamfara.

Jangeru said malnutrition remained a serious challenge requiring continued investment, stronger policies and cooperation between government agencies and development organisations.

“We are working with UNICEF support to advocate enhanced nutrition funding and exclusive breastfeeding among children,” he said.

He added that the extended maternity leave would allow mothers to practise exclusive breastfeeding for the recommended period, which could help reduce malnutrition and improve child survival.

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The policy adds Zamfara to the growing number of Nigerian states adopting longer maternity leave provisions as part of efforts to support working mothers and improve early childhood health outcomes.