The Federal Executive Council, (FEC) on Wednesday approved a 14-day paternity leave for men to properly bond with their newborn or adopted babies.
The meeting, presided over by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, explained that the paternity leave is for men in the federal civil service.
President Muhammadu Buhari was not in attendance, and, has reportedly not been seen in the last four days. He had returned to the country after a tasking trip to a United Nations Assembly meeting, UNGA.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Council’s weekly meeting.
Dr Yemi-Esan said the paternity leave was approved for men when their wives are delivered of their new babies.
According to her, this was important to help the newly born or adopted baby properly bond with the father at the early period as the baby bonds with the mother.
Before now, only women enjoyed maternity leave of upto three months.