Lagos state okays six-month maternity leave, 10 days for fathers

Lagos state government has introduced a new leave regime for all male and female civil servants in the state. Henceforth, all male civil servants whose wives give birth are entitled to a 10-day paternity leave while female civil servants had their maternity leave extended from 3 months to 6 months.

The new leave regime was announced today by the Lagos State Head of Service, Mrs Josephine Williams at a press conference held at the Baguada Kaltho Press Centre, in Alausa, Ikeja.

"A female officer shall be entitled to 24-weeks maternity leave with full pay in case of her first two deliveries. The said leave shall commence, at least two weeks before the expected delivery date; a male officer, to who a new baby (or babies in case of multiple births) is born shall be entitled to 10 working days" she said.

She added that subsequent deliveries after the second baby by any employee will only get 12 weeks maternity leave for a female officer while the men will not be entitled to the 10-day leave.

Special adviser to the Lagos state Governor on public health, Dr Yewande Adeshina, said the 6 months leave will enable women complete the mandatory months required for breastfeeding new born babies.