The Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) has joined forces with stakeholders under the Nigeria Women in Leadership Coalition to intensify calls for a 16-week maternity leave and a two-week paternity leave for workers. This initiative aims to enhance productivity and family welfare across the country.
During a rally held at the entrance of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity in Abuja, the NGF, alongside caregivers, urged state governments and the private sector to adopt the policy. They described it as a critical step toward supporting nursing parents and strengthening workforce efficiency.
Speaking at the event, Tolu Abdul, an official of the NGF, revealed that 14 states, including Abia, Bauchi, Cross River, Enugu, Ekiti, Kaduna, Ondo, Oyo, and Plateau, have already adopted the policy. She called on other states to follow suit.
Abdul added that the reform is championed to enhance the well-being of families, particularly mothers who are primary caregivers, while also encouraging shared parenting responsibilities. She noted that improved parental support would contribute to better mental health outcomes for women and increased productivity across organizations.
Ekemini Akpakpan, Executive Secretary of Women in Successful Career (WESCA), stated that the coalition—comprising WINBIS, NGF, and WESCA—is making this call because they recognize that women need an enabling environment to progress and advance in leadership. She emphasized that one way to support women is to grant them fully paid parental leave, along with other services, to ensure full recovery.
"What we are demanding is the bare minimum," Akpakpan said. "Let's give parents paid maternity leave for women first, and also allow fathers to be present for 14 days for their children so they can bond."
Medical practitioner Benson Itua commended the rally, stating that in hospitals, they have seen situations where mothers resume work too early, leaving no time for their babies, which results in malnutrition. He noted that while some organizations provide between two to six weeks of maternity leave, babies and their mothers need at least 16 weeks for early-stage neonatal bonding, which is important for both father and mother.
"We are appealing to the federal government through the Federal Ministry of Labour for at least 16 weeks for the mother and two weeks for the father," Itua said.
Volunteer advocate Mrs. Priscilla Sheshima advocated for the full implementation of a 16-week paid maternity leave and a two-week paid paternity leave across all sectors, particularly in the private sector, to improve family well-being and child development. According to her, when a woman gives birth and resumes work too early, especially after procedures like cesarean section, it affects her recovery and productivity. Sixteen weeks is necessary for full recovery and proper care of the newborn.
Sheshima also decried situations where some organizations pay only a fraction of salaries during maternity leave, noting that full remuneration is critical to support nursing mothers during that period. She further highlighted the importance of paternity leave, saying the presence of fathers from the early stages of a child's life plays a crucial role in the child's emotional and psychological development.
