In support of the goals of the 2026 World Breastfeeding Week and to raise awareness about the importance of breastfeeding, students of the Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Lagos (UNILAG), have taken classroom learning into the community through a public sensitisation campaign on Donor Human Milk (DHM).
The initiative reflects the University’s commitment to experiential learning, providing students with the opportunity to apply their communication skills to address real societal issues while promoting improved maternal and child health outcomes.
Observed annually from August 1 to 7, World Breastfeeding Week promotes breastfeeding as the foundation for giving every child a healthy start in life. This year’s theme, ” Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems ,” calls for stronger support systems and increased public awareness to ensure every child has access to optimal nutrition from birth.
As part of the campaign, Group 1 students visited the breastfeeding clinic at Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos, where they engaged more than fifty (50) breastfeeding mothers in discussions on the importance of Donor Human Milk, particularly for premature and medically vulnerable babies.
The outreach was conducted as p7art of their Message Design (MAS 422) campaign project under the supervision of Professor Abigail Ndisika-Ogwezzy, Director of the Institute of Continuing Education (ICE), UNILAG, and Dr. Babatunde Faustino.
During the interactive session, Nurse Jimoh, a Paediatric Nurse at Gbagada General Hospital, introduced the concept of Donor Human Milk while discussing infant feeding options. Many of the mothers said it was their first time hearing about it and asked questions about its safety, donor screening procedures, eligibility requirements, and how it is provided to babies in need.
Responding to their concerns, the students explained that Donor Human Milk is voluntarily donated by healthy lactating mothers and undergoes rigorous screening, pasteurisation, and safe storage before being provided to eligible infants. They also informed participants that MilkBank Nigeria, located in Isolo, Lagos, operates the country’s human milk bank, supplying safe donor breast milk to babies whose mothers are unable to breastfeed.
Representing the group were Ayobami Olasupo Christian, Oyebamiji Dorcas Oluwadamilola, Adetoyinbo Serah Ibukun, and Ebhomien Favour Osahon, who worked alongside healthcare professionals to educate mothers on the benefits of Donor Human Milk. They highlighted its role in reducing infections, improving the survival of premature babies, and supporting healthy growth and brain development.
The students noted that the enthusiasm and thoughtful questions from participants underscored the need for sustained public education on Donor Human Milk and its role in improving newborn health outcomes across communities.
Also supporting the campaign was the Director of Dietetics and Nutrition at Gbagada General Hospital, Mrs. Kuti-Bamiro, who encouraged exclusive breastfeeding and reinforced the day’s message by teaching participants an educational song highlighting the benefits of breastfeeding and Donor Human Milk.
The outreach formed part of the requirements for the Message Design (MAS 422) course for the 2025/2026 academic session. Beyond fulfilling an academic requirement, it demonstrated how the University of Lagos continues to prepare students to use communication as a tool for development, empowering them to make meaningful contributions to their communities.
The campaign concluded with a simple but powerful message: every baby deserves the best possible start in life, and informed communities play a vital role in making that possible .
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Michael Ike-Ossai
