Advocates have called on the Federal Government to enforce a uniform paid parental leave policy across Nigeria, arguing that such a move would enhance productivity, strengthen family structures, and support early childhood development.
Speaking on Monday in Abuja at the unveiling of the “Best Start Campaign” at the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, the Nigerian Women in Leadership Coalition stated that inconsistencies in parental leave policies across sectors have entrenched inequality and weakened labour standards nationwide.
The coalition explained that the campaign seeks legislation mandating fully paid 16-week maternity leave and a two-week paternity leave for all workers in both the public and private sectors. According to the group, this would promote fairness, improve employee wellbeing, and enable parents to provide adequate care for their newborns, ultimately contributing to national development.
Currently, under the revised Public Service Rules 2021 approved by the Federal Executive Council, male federal civil servants are entitled to 14 working days of paternity leave, limited to once every two years for up to four children. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Labour Act provides for 12 weeks of maternity leave – six weeks before and six weeks after childbirth—with at least 50 per cent of salary paid by employers.
Although the law applies to both public and private sectors and protects pregnant workers from dismissal upon presentation of a medical certificate, implementation varies significantly across states and organisations. Stakeholders note that this disparity has resulted in unequal access to parental leave benefits nationwide.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Ms. Ekemini Akpakpan, Executive Secretary of Women in Successful Careers, said the group is advocating a standardised policy framework to ensure equity. She emphasised that a robust legal structure is essential to guarantee full pay, adequate leave duration, and effective compliance monitoring across the country.
“It is very important for labour reforms. Standardisation across public and private sectors requires a legal framework to ensure full pay, adequate duration, and compliance monitoring,” she said.
Akpakpan added that the proposed policy would enable mothers to recover fully after childbirth while encouraging fathers to take a more active role in early childcare. She noted that this would enhance parent-child bonding, support child development, and improve employee productivity upon return to work.
Addressing concerns about the financial implications for employers, she argued that improved parental support ultimately leads to higher staff retention and productivity. “Without adequate support, workers cannot remain effective, and organisations ultimately lose skilled and experienced personnel,” she said.
Sharing personal experiences, Mrs. Priscilla Sanshima, a nurse, recounted her daughter’s post-partum challenges, noting that she resumed work just 12 weeks after undergoing a caesarean section. She said an early return to work can adversely affect recovery, wellbeing, and productivity, and called for full pay during a 16-week maternity leave.
Similarly, Mr. Honesty Chukwuma, a father, described paternity leave as essential for bonding and supporting mothers, adding that it strengthens families and contributes to a child’s long-term development.
Mrs. Regina Solomon, a mother of two, also stressed the importance of fathers’ presence after childbirth, noting that early involvement helps children build emotional connections with both parents during critical developmental stages.
Mr. Joshua Animata, a businessman, shared how he had to temporarily shut down his business following the birth of his child to support his family. He said a structured paternity leave policy would ease such burdens and ensure better care for both mothers and children.
The advocates, however, underscored the need for strong legal backing, transparency, and nationwide monitoring to ensure compliance. They maintained that a uniform parental leave policy would eliminate discrimination, strengthen families, and promote workforce stability across Nigeria.
