Kwara State has been recognized by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) as one of only ten states in Nigeria to offer a fully paid six-month maternity leave to its female public servants.
This commendation follows the recent approval by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who extended the maternity leave policy from three to six months. This move aligns with a similar action taken by his administration in August 2023 and is part of a broader commitment to the welfare of civil servants, particularly nursing mothers. The other nine states on the UNICEF-recognized list include Cross River, Ekiti, Enugu, Lagos, Kaduna, Niger, Ondo, Oyo, and Plateau.
According to a statement from the Senior Special Assistant on New Media to the Kwara State Governor, Olayinka Fafoluyi, the governor’s approval reflects his administration’s commitment to the welfare of civil servants, particularly nursing mothers. It also demonstrates his administration’s understanding of the importance of early childhood development, maternal health, and work-life balance.
The six-month paid maternity leave policy aligns with global health recommendations from organizations like UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), which advocates for exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a child’s life.
Research shows that this practice significantly reduces infant mortality rates, improves a child’s cognitive development, and boosts their immune system.
The policy also provides mothers with adequate time to recover from childbirth, bond with their infants, and establish a successful breastfeeding routine without the stress of an early return to work.
UNICEF has been actively campaigning for both public and private sectors to adopt this policy, citing its numerous benefits for maternal and child health.
The recognition solidifies Kwara’s position as a state committed to family-friendly policies and a supportive environment for working mothers and their children.
