Bauchi State Assembly Passes Six-Month Maternity Leave Bill for First, Second Readings

By, Rabiu Ishaq Muhammad

The Bauchi State House of Assembly has passed for first and second readings, a bill seeking to provide six months’ maternity leave for nursing mothers in the Bauchi State Civil Service.

The proposed legislation, sponsored by the Chairman, House committee on Health Lawal Dauda and seconded by Mohammed Dayyabu Ladan and Auwal Hassan, received unanimous support from members during plenary presided over by the Speaker Dr Abubakar Y. Suleiman.

Lawmakers described the bill as timely intervention aimed at promoting maternal and child health, improving the well-being of nursing mothers, and aligning the state’s labour policies with global best practices that encourage exclusive breastfeeding and adequate postnatal care.

Following its successful passage through the First and Second Readings, Speaker Abubakar Suleiman referred the bill to the House Committee on Health for legislative scrutiny.

According to him, the move marks a major step toward strengthening the welfare, health, and protection of working mothers across the state.

He directed the committee to engage relevant stakeholders where necessary and submit its report to the House within two weeks for further legislative action.