News
Zamfara Approves 6-Month Maternity Leave for Workers
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.
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Dauda Lawal swears in five permanent secretaries in Zamfara, urging them to follow public service rules, financial regulations and relevant laws
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has sworn in five new permanent secretaries, urging them to comply with Public Service Rules, financial regulations and other relevant laws in the discharge of their duties.
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The swearing-in ceremony took place on Thursday at the Grand Chamber of the Government House in Gusau, the state capital.
The newly appointed permanent secretaries are Ahmad S. Zamfara, Nasiru Halilu Anka, Mu’azu Jibril Guraguri, Adamu Abdullahi Kanoma and Sani Muhammad Shinkafi.
The Chief Judge of Zamfara State, Justice Kulu Aliyu, administered the oath of office to the appointees, who pledged allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
Speaking at the ceremony, Lawal congratulated the new permanent secretaries, describing their appointments as recognition of their experience, abilities and readiness to take on greater responsibilities.
He said their roles extended beyond personal career advancement, noting that their decisions and conduct would influence government performance and the welfare of residents.
“The Permanent Secretary is central to Government, providing administrative leadership, institutional continuity, and policy advice while implementing approved programs,” the governor said.
He added that permanent secretaries were responsible for maintaining discipline, coordinating their establishments and ensuring that public resources were used for their intended purposes.
Lawal said his administration remained committed to strengthening government institutions and improving public administration to support Zamfara’s development priorities.
He noted that the civil service played a critical role in translating government decisions into practical results, particularly in the delivery of essential services.
The governor urged the new appointees to align their work with his administration’s priorities through proper planning, realistic implementation strategies, effective supervision and continuous assessment of results.
He also called on them to maintain constructive and professional relationships with commissioners and other political officeholders.
According to Lawal, political leaders are responsible for setting policy, while career civil servants provide the institutional knowledge, technical advice and administrative capacity needed to implement it.
He stressed that mutual respect and cooperation between political officeholders and career civil servants were essential to effective governance.
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The governor urged the permanent secretaries to uphold discipline and professionalism while ensuring that their departments supported the administration’s development agenda and served the needs of the people of Zamfara.
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