House Of Representatives Reject Bill Seeking To Give Paternity Leave To Nigerian Men

The Lower House yesterday rejected a bill to give paternity leave to Nigerian men when their wives welcome a baby. The bill for a law to make provisions for optional paternity leave for all married male workers in private and public service was sponsored by Edward Pwajok (APC, Plateau). According to Pwajok, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the proposal for a two or more weeks (depending on the decision of the House) paternity leave to ensure that mother and child get adequate help and care from the father. "As the proportion of father in parenting increases, they experience similar challenges with women, such as the disintegration of their jobs and family responsibilities." Taking maternity leave without provision of maternity leave is discriminatory for men. No better person can support a newborn baby than the father who will make the child more emotionally stable if the father stays close. This will not only apply to Nigeria, it is done worldwide, "he told the house during a debate on the law. Rejecting the bill, a member of the house, Betty Apiafi (PDP, Rivers) said since maternity leave issue was discussed in the Labor Act, it would have been better if it came as a change to the law and not as a bill. Apiati and other lawmakers Uzoma Nkem-Abonta (PDP, Abia), Rita Orji (PDP, Lagos), Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta) and Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) argued that men should try to take care of the maintenance of the family instead of staying home. They also wondered how often a man with six or seven women would leave if the law becomes law. The motion was downright defeated with voice votes.