Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has approved a six-month maternity leave policy for nursing mothers employed in the state's civil service.

The announcement was made during the State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House Council Chamber in Minna, the state capital.

According to Governor Bago, the extended leave period is designed to provide nursing mothers with sufficient time to care for themselves and their newborns adequately.

"The six months maternity leave is aimed at affording women ample time to take good care of themselves and their newborns, as well as help them become more productive when they resume," the governor explained.

Governor Bago emphasized that the policy aligns with international best practices for maternal and child health protection. The initiative represents a significant improvement from the previous maternity leave allocation in the state.

To ensure proper implementation of this new policy, the governor has directed the Head of Service, Abubakar Sadiq Idris, to develop comprehensive guidelines and modalities.

This development positions Niger State among the progressive states in Nigeria implementing family-friendly policies aimed at supporting women in the workforce while prioritizing maternal and infant wellbeing.