By Abdul Kareem

Borno State is moving towards implementing a six-month paid maternity leave, as confirmed by Dr. Peter Solomon, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Budget and Planning. 

This cheery development was announced during an advocacy visit to the budget and planning ministry by the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN), Borno state, on 6 September 2024.

The CS-SUNN delegation, led by State Coordinator Hajiya Aishatu Maidala, emphasized the critical importance of extended maternity leave for improving child nutrition and development. Maidala underscored that adequate nutrition is essential for a child’s physical and mental growth, highlighting the role of maternal support in achieving these goals.

Dr. Solomon commended CS-SUNN for their advocacy work, particularly in promoting child nutrition. He indicated that the state is eager to explore further partnerships with the organization to enhance public awareness of nutritional issues. He stressed that providing a supportive environment for mothers to breastfeed is crucial, and assured that the government is dedicated to ensuring the maternity leave policy is fully funded and implemented.

CS-SUNN on advocacy visit with Perm Sec, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Borno state

Emphasizing the broader significance of child nutrition, Dr. Solomon noted that investing in well-nourished children is investing in a brighter future. He pointed out that nutrition involves not only supplements but also the availability of food and understanding how to incorporate essential nutrients into daily diets.

He said the government is actively working on the maternity leave initiative, which is in advanced stages of development. Dr. Solomon recognized the necessity of a multisectoral coordination platform, advocating for collaborations across various ministries, including finance, agriculture, health, education, and women’s affairs, to establish a comprehensive nutrition strategy.

Additionally, he acknowledged the need to conduct workshops for training stakeholders on tracking nutrition budgets. He also acknowledged existing gaps in budget allocations for nutrition, as it is not explicitly mentioned in the National Chart of Accounts, and highlighted the need for improved financial planning in this area.

Overall, he said Borno State is committed to advancing child nutrition initiatives and supporting maternal health through strategic partnerships and policy implementation.

He said he would be briefing his commissioner about the visit with a promise to see how the ministry could support CS-SUNN to continue its advocacies and collaboration with the state government.