The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that over 90% of Nigerian mothers breastfeed their children, a statistic hailed as a public health success amid ongoing nutritional challenges.
Released during a maternal health conference in Abuja, the data, drawn from a 2024 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), indicates that 91.3% of infants under six months are breastfed, surpassing the global average of 48%, though exclusive breastfeeding drops to 35% due to cultural practices and lack of awareness. UNICEF attributes this high rate to community health initiatives, including 20,000 trained community health workers and a national breastfeeding campaign launched in 2022.
Despite this achievement, experts warn that malnutrition affects 35% of children under five, with 2 million suffering from severe acute malnutrition, exacerbated by poverty and insecurity in the north-east. Some critics question the survey’s methodology, suggesting underreporting in conflict zones like Borno, where access is limited.
The narrative of a breastfeeding milestone is encouraging, but its impact on child health outcomes remains constrained by broader socio-economic barriers, necessitating a holistic approach to nutrition security.