Quick Read:
- First Lady Oluremi Tinubu calls on lactating mothers to eat well and live healthy for their babies’ sake
- Message marks World Breastfeeding Week 2026, running August 1–7
- She endorses the global theme “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works”
- Tinubu describes breastfeeding as an investment in the nation’s future
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has thrown her weight behind breastfeeding for a healthier future, urging mothers across the country, especially those currently nursing, to embrace healthier lifestyles and pay closer attention to their diets.
Her call came as Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark World Breastfeeding Week 2026, an annual campaign observed from August 1 to 7 that spotlights the health and developmental benefits of breastfeeding for both infants and mothers.
In a message released to commemorate the week, the First Lady aligned herself with this year’s global theme, “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” describing the practice as far more than a personal choice for new mothers. She framed it as a foundational building block for the country’s future.
“Breastfeeding lays the foundation for a child’s healthy growth and lifelong development, making it a vital investment in families and a nation,” Tinubu said.
The First Lady’s push for breastfeeding for a healthier future didn’t stop at encouragement alone. She also reminded lactating mothers that their own wellbeing matters just as much as their babies’, urging them to eat right and take care of themselves in the process.
“I encourage mothers, especially lactating mothers, to embrace healthy lifestyles and eat nutritious foods for their well-being and that of their children,” she added.
Health experts have long linked breastfeeding to reduced infant mortality, stronger immune development, and better long-term health outcomes for children, while also pointing to benefits for mothers, including faster postpartum recovery. Nigeria continues to grapple with low exclusive breastfeeding rates in several regions, making campaigns like this one a recurring feature on the national health calendar.