Akwa Ibom Lawmaker Canvasses Extension Of Maternity, Paternity Leave

The member representing Ibiono Ibom State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Moses Essien, has made a case for the upward review of maternity and paternity leave in view of the burden that weaning newborns place on parents.

The lawmaker, therefore, called for an amendment to the state’s Public Service Rules (PSR) to extend maternity and paternity leave for civil servants.

Presenting a motion during the House plenary, titled, “The Need for Extension of Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave in Akwa Ibom State Civil Service,” Hon. Essien proposed that “maternity leave be increased from 16 weeks to 24 weeks, and paternity leave from 14 days to 24 weeks.”

He explained that the motion was brought pursuant to the extant orders and standing rules of the House, adding that the current provisions under the 2022 Public Service Rules were “grossly inadequate and below international health standards.”

Citing relevant sections and rules of the House, the lawmaker noted that “the present 16 weeks of paid maternity leave for female officers and 14 days for male officers do not align with global best practices.”

The chairman, House Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security, pointed out that several states, including Abia, Bauchi, Lagos, Ekiti, Enugu, Kaduna, Kwara, Niger, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau and Cross River, have already extended both maternity and paternity leaves to six months (24 weeks).

Essien cited recommendations from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), stressing that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life enhances infant nutrition, boosts immunity and supports maternal well-being.

He further argued that extended paternity leave would enable fathers to bond with their newborns, assist nursing mothers and strengthen family life.

The motion, seconded by Hon. Lawrence Udoide (Ini), drew commendations from the leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob (Nsit Ubium) and other members, who all described the proposal as timely and people-oriented.

Ruling on the motion, the speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, urged the governor, Umo Eno, to direct the Head of Civil Service (HoCS), to issue a circular to all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), “for immediate implementation once the amendment takes effect.”

The speaker also called on the state government to establish creches and childcare facilities within MDAs to promote work-life balance for nursing mothers, and directed the House Committees on Labour and Productivity and Health, to monitor compliance in collaboration with the Office of the Head of Service.