By Lizzy Carr
The Bauchi State government has allocated ₦100 million to support nutrition programs across its 20 local government areas, with each council contributing ₦5 million, according to the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Board, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed.
Dr. Mohammed disclosed this while receiving representatives of the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN) during an advocacy visit.
He noted that Bauchi State has a high rate of child malnutrition, as highlighted in the latest Nigeria Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) 2023/2024 and emphasized the government’s commitment to improving nutrition among children under five.
Speaking during the visit, CS-SUNN Steering Committee Co-Chair, Aji Robinson, called for policies supporting working mothers, including six months of paid maternity leave and two weeks of paternity leave.
“We want breastfeeding mothers to have the opportunity to practice exclusive breastfeeding for six months to boost their babies’ immunity,” she said.
Robinson also urged the government to establish breastfeeding-friendly corners in workplaces and ensure the timely release and proper utilization of nutrition funds.
She emphasized that addressing nutrition and maternal health challenges requires a multi-sectoral approach.
The advocacy campaign, carried out in collaboration with UNICEF, also extended to key government ministries, including Education, Water Resources, Agriculture, Budget and Economic Planning, and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
