USAID and Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha Lead Massive Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign During World Breastfeeding Week

From August 1 to 7, the United States government, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, and development partners celebrated World Breastfeeding Week. The celebration highlights the importance of breastfeeding for infant and maternal health, emphasizing theimportance of collective responsibility to protect, promote, and support this vital practice.

Distinguished guests at the flag-off event included lactating mothers and their children, top-level government officials, representatives from the donor community, various healthdevelopment and welfare organizations, and USAID/Nigeria Goodwill Ambassador for NutritionChioma Chukwuka Akpotha.

As part of the celebration, Ms. Chukwuka Akpotha delivered a goodwill message, and facilitated an experience sharing session with mothers on the importance of breastfeeding. Additionally, over 30,000 Nigerian mothers convened, nationwide, in a bid to achieve the highest number of mothers breastfeeding simultaneously, and raise awareness about the low exclusive breastfeeding rate in Nigeria. Prior to the flag-off event, Ms. Chukwuka Akpotha met with United States Ambassador to Nigeria Richard Mills and U.S. Embassy community to discuss her role as Goodwill Ambassador and her efforts to raise awareness about maternal health and child nutrition in Nigeria. According to the 2021 Multi Indicator Cluster Survey, only 33 percent of infants in Nigeria were exclusively breastfed during the first six months of life. This means only one in every three children receive the proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals needed to supportchild development.

For several decades, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has remained committed to supporting breastfeeding initiatives as a key component of nutrition programming in Nigeria and contributing to improving the health and well-being of mothers and children globally.

By partnering with influential and renowned figures like Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha, USAID and implementing partner Helen Keller Intl are leveraging the reach and prospects of Nigeria’s creative sector to create a lasting impact on the nutritional landscape of Nigeria. Since the goodwill partnership announcement in May 2024, the collaborative efforts between USAID, Helen Keller Intl and Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha, have been instrumental in advancing the goals of Nigeria’s national multi sectoral nutrition strategy. Through targeted interventions, this partnership is poised to contribute to improving breastfeeding rates and reducing malnutrition among children. World Breastfeeding Week serves as a reminder of the ongoing commitment to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding as a fundamental pillar of child health and development.

Speaking at the Abuja flag-off event, Ms. Chukwuka Akpotha remarked; “To all the incredible mothers here today, remember that in your loving embrace, you hold the future of Nigeria. Each drop of breast milk you give is a gift of health, strength, and intelligence. Let’s embrace exclusive breastfeeding as a national treasure, nurturing our children to become the leaders of tomorrow.”