In line with the World Health Organization, WHO, recommendation to allow nursing practise exclusive breastfeeding, a member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, OYHA, Mrs Bimbo Oladeji wants the state government to review maternity leave for civil servants from four to six months.

In a motion on the “Review of Maternity Leave Policy for Pregnant and Nursing Mother’s in the Employment of Oyo State for Healthy Motherhood.”

Mrs Oladeji stated that maternity leave is one major way of preventing and reducing the infant and maternal mortality rate in state.

According to her “since the 2009 Nigeria Labour Law, female public sector employees have been granted sixteen weeks of maternity leave at a full pay and two hours off-duty everyday once back to work to breastfeed or express breast milk for another twelve weeks.

“Maternity leave policies vary across states in Nigeria with period ranging from three, four, five, to six months. Maternity leave in Oyo State at present is four months, while states like Lagos, Kaduna, Enugu and Ekiti have all increased their maternity leave to six months,” Hon. Oladeji said.

The lawmaker pointed out that the present policy of Oyo State government on maternity leave is not in compliance with recommendation of WHO. 

She also appealed to government on behalf of male counterpart for paternity leave to enable them assist their nursing wives for a certain period. 

The Speaker, Mr. Adebo Ogundoyin while passing the resolution, urged the committee on Women Affairs and Social Inclusion Committee, to liaise with Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion and come up with implementable recommendations.

Mosope Kehinde