The First Lady of Zamfara State, Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, has called on Governor Dauda Lawal to approve a six-month paid maternity leave for all working mothers across both public and private sectors in the state.
She made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the Governor at the Government House in Gusau, emphasizing that the policy is a vital investment in the well-being of children and the broader future of society.
“My visit to His Excellency’s office today is driven by love, compassion, and a deep desire to secure a peaceful and prosperous future for our children. That future begins with the family — the heartbeat of our society,” she said.
Hajiya Lawal noted that countries and organizations implementing extended maternity leave policies have witnessed improved maternal and child health outcomes, as well as increased workplace productivity and employee retention.
She urged the Governor to lead by example, saying: “Let us give our women the support they deserve. Let us give our children the start they need.”
Appealing personally, she added, “My love, I appeal to your good heart and vision, knowing that together we can build a brighter future.”
A representative of UNICEF, Ms. Kulu Sanda—speaking on behalf of the Chief of Field Office, Sokoto, Mr. Michael Banda—backed the First Lady’s appeal. She stated that six months of paid maternity leave aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and international health standards, allowing time for exclusive breastfeeding, bonding, and routine immunizations.
“We cannot talk about the future of our children without looking at their health. Only a healthy child can secure his or her future. That’s why UNICEF fully supports this policy,” Ms. Sanda said.
She warned that many working mothers are currently forced to choose between earning a living and caring for their newborns, leading to high default rates in child immunization.
Responding to the appeal, Governor Dauda Lawal praised the First Lady’s initiative and acknowledged the growing need for family-friendly policies.
“We will look into the request and come up with a workable framework. Whether it will be six months or another feasible duration, we want to ensure it’s a sustainable policy,” the Governor said.
He assured that the proposal would be thoroughly considered by the State Executive Council and promised to provide feedback in due time.
Governor Lawal also expressed appreciation to UNICEF and other development partners for their continuous support to the state’s health and development efforts.
The proposal, if adopted, would position Zamfara as a leading advocate for maternal welfare in Nigeria, potentially inspiring similar reforms in other states.