Newborn and child health experts have warned parents that failure of a newborn to pass stool within the first 24 to 48 hours after birth is a medical red flag requiring prompt professional evaluation.

The experts explained that newborns normally pass their first stool, known as meconium, shortly after birth. Meconium is typically a thick, dark, tar-like substance made up largely of materials accumulated in the baby’s intestines during pregnancy.

Speaking with PUNCH Healthwise, a paediatric surgeon and Professor of Surgery at Bayero University, Kano, and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Aminu Mohammad, said most healthy term newborns should have passed meconium within the first 48 hours of life.

Mohammad, who is also Chair of the Department of Surgery at Bayero University, Kano, described failure to pass stool within the expected period as highly abnormal and requiring immediate medical attention.

He explained that up to 90 per cent of healthy newborns pass meconium within the first 24 hours, while virtually all healthy term babies should have passed their first stool by 48 hours.

According to him, a newborn who has not passed meconium after 48 hours should be taken to a paediatrician or an emergency department for assessment.

He warned against waiting several days before seeking medical care, noting that delayed passage of stool could indicate a serious underlying condition.

“Delayed passage is officially considered when a baby does not stool within 48 hours. A delay beyond this point requires immediate medical evaluation,” he said.

Possible causes
Mohammad said failure to pass meconium could be caused by congenital abnormalities affecting the baby’s digestive system.

He identified imperforate anus, intestinal atresia or stenosis, intestinal obstruction and Hirschsprung’s disease among possible causes.

Imperforate anus occurs when the anus does not develop normally or is absent, making it impossible for the baby to pass stool through the normal route.

He explained that some babies could also have intestinal atresia or stenosis, in which parts of the intestine are either disconnected or abnormally narrowed.

“These are conditions that cannot be relieved by giving the newborn anything by mouth or from the anus. Such cases may require surgery,” he said.

The professor also identified Hirschsprung’s disease as another possible cause.

He explained that the condition involves the absence of specialised nerve cells in part of the intestine, affecting the normal movement of intestinal contents and making it difficult for the baby to pass stool.

Other possible causes, he said, include unusually thick and sticky meconium, systemic illnesses such as poor thyroid function and certain medications given to mothers during labour.

Experts warn against home remedies
The paediatric surgeon strongly cautioned parents against using home remedies, oils, concoctions or objects inserted into a newborn’s rectum to stimulate bowel movement.

He said such practices could cause serious complications while also masking an underlying condition that might require surgery.

“Parents should not attempt to treat this at home with remedies like rectal stimulation, as this can mask a serious diagnosis and delay proper treatment,” he warned.

Mohammad specifically cautioned against giving newborns oils such as castor oil or mineral oil orally.

According to him, oil could be accidentally inhaled into the lungs and cause a potentially fatal form of pneumonia.

He also warned that enemas and suppositories could injure the delicate tissues of a newborn’s rectum.

Another danger, he noted, was that home remedies might temporarily produce stool, creating a false impression that the underlying problem had been resolved.

He said this could allow conditions such as Hirschsprung’s disease or intestinal obstruction to continue undiagnosed and worsen.

Warning signs parents should watch
Mohammad advised parents to seek urgent medical attention if a newborn fails to pass stool within 24 to 48 hours, particularly when the condition is accompanied by other symptoms.

These include green-coloured vomiting, abdominal swelling, refusal to feed, weakness or blood in the stool.

He said affected babies would require physical examination and, where necessary, diagnostic investigations to determine the cause of the delayed stool passage.

Leaving an intestinal obstruction untreated, he warned, could eventually result in bowel perforation, severe infection and death.

Breastfeeding important after birth
Also speaking with PUNCH Healthwise, Professor of Paediatrics and Neonatology at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Isa Abdulkadir, said most healthy term newborns were expected to pass meconium within the first few days of life.

Abdulkadir, a Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, said failure to pass the first stool should prompt medical evaluation, particularly in term babies.

He noted that between 80 and 90 per cent of healthy term babies would normally pass meconium within the first two to three days.

“If that doesn’t occur, we need to worry,” he said.

The neonatologist advised parents of babies who failed to pass stool to seek immediate assessment from a paediatrician or neonatologist.

He said feeding practices after delivery could also support normal bowel function, although many causes of delayed meconium passage were congenital and unrelated to anything the mother did during pregnancy.

Abdulkadir encouraged mothers to initiate breastfeeding as early as possible after delivery, preferably within the first 30 minutes to one hour, and to give the newborn only breast milk unless a health professional advises otherwise.

He said breast milk was natural, easily digestible and appropriate for the newborn.

Antenatal and postnatal care
Abdulkadir further stressed the importance of quality antenatal care, skilled delivery and appropriate postnatal monitoring in reducing the risk of complications.

He urged expectant mothers to receive antenatal care from approved healthcare providers and deliver in certified health facilities under the supervision of trained professionals.

He also recommended that newborns receive appropriate postnatal assessment, including evaluation of feeding, general wellbeing and any abnormal signs.

The neonatologist stressed that babies required specialised care and should not be treated like adults.

“Every deviation from what we consider to be normal needs to be properly looked into and assessed,” he said.

He urged parents to report anything unusual about a newborn to a paediatrician or neonatologist rather than attempting self-treatment.

The experts emphasised that while many causes of delayed passage of meconium occur before birth and cannot be prevented through home interventions, early recognition and prompt medical treatment can prevent serious complications and save the baby’s life.

A resurfaced video featuring the daughters of Nigerian billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote has sparked reactions online after Halima Dangote explained why she and her sisters prefer to maintain a low public profile despite growing up in one of Nigeria’s wealthiest families.

The video, taken from a Bloomberg Next Africa special featuring Halima, Mariya and Fatima Dangote, was filmed at the family’s home in Lagos and published in August 2026.

In the interview, Halima said the sisters were not “spoilt” and had deliberately chosen to remain relatively private, preferring to be recognised for their professional achievements rather than their family background or wealth.

“We are not spoilt,” she said.

Explaining the family’s approach, Halima said she and her sisters were generally quiet about their identities and personal possessions when interacting with people from similar backgrounds.

“Any time we meet with our co-peers — like the kids of our dad’s friends, or people that we’re supposed to — we don’t… I mean, everyone has his own job. We are more… I don’t know if it’s fortunate or unfortunate, now people recognise us,” she said.

According to her, being less recognisable had previously made it easier for the sisters to live privately and focus on their work.

“But it was easier when we were not recognised; you know, our results speak for themselves,” Halima added.

She also explained that unlike some wealthy individuals who are comfortable displaying their lifestyles on social media, she and her sisters were not particularly interested in showcasing their possessions or activities publicly.

“I mean, some people are really comfortable with social media, with being known, with being expressive. I don’t think we are — all three of us are not expressive of what we have or what we own or what we’re doing,” she said.

Halima stressed that the sisters preferred their professional performance and business results to speak on their behalf.

“I think, like Fatima and Mariya said, the results are just the ones speaking for themselves:

the sale of this business, the profit of this, the EBITDA, our growth, growing to $100 billion.

We are all in those key positions and, I mean, numbers don’t lie,” she said.

Social media reactions
The resurfaced interview has attracted reactions from social media users, with some praising the sisters for maintaining a relatively private lifestyle despite their family’s wealth and prominence.

An X user, #Khaleelmuhd111, said Dangote had done well by keeping his children away from controversy and excessive public attention while giving them opportunities to occupy leadership positions within his businesses.

Another user, #MaameAfibaBessa, described the sisters as intelligent women who were successfully involved in business, while questioning the continued public interest in whether Dangote would have a male child.

Similarly, #MukAli_14 interpreted Halima’s comments as an indication that extremely wealthy people can choose to remain humble and private.

However, #BulusPaul9 focused on the sisters’ comments about social media, arguing that many people use social media primarily for entertainment and to observe different perspectives rather than as a reflection of their real-life experiences.

Dangote daughters take senior roles
Halima, Fatima and Mariya Dangote hold senior positions within the Dangote Group, as the conglomerate continues to develop its leadership and succession structure.

Their increasing responsibilities have also fuelled speculation about the future leadership of the business empire founded by their father.

Dangote has previously acknowledged that one of his daughters could eventually take charge of the conglomerate.

Asked whether he could see one of his daughters leading the Dangote Group in the future, he said: “I think, yes, I can see one of them. I’ve been watching all of them, so I can definitely see one of the three that can actually lead.”

The sisters’ comments have continued to attract attention as their roles within the family business become more prominent, while they maintain a relatively restrained presence in the public space.

Here is the full Nigeria Insight-style report, with the SEO package included.
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2027: SDP Pledges to Rebuild, Transform Nigeria If Elected
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has pledged to rebuild and transform Nigeria if elected into power in the 2027 general elections.
The party said it would prioritise the welfare and security of Nigerians while addressing the country’s socio-economic challenges and insecurity.
The National Chairman of the SDP, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, made the commitment on Friday when he received a delegation of the Confederation of West Africa Youth at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Gombe, who was represented by the Deputy National Chairman of the party, Senator Ugochukwu Uba, said the SDP’s ideology was rooted in Chapter II of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines the fundamental objectives of government, including the welfare and security of citizens.
He said the increasing interest of young Nigerians in the SDP suggested that the party’s political message was gaining attention ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, Nigeria had reached a stage where comprehensive efforts were required to address the challenges facing the country.
“The SDP is a party that has its ideology threaded. This ideology is based on Chapter 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which talks about provision for the welfare and security of Nigerians. That is what guides the policies of this party,” he said.
Gombe said the party’s recently unveiled manifesto contained what he described as a comprehensive programme for transforming the country.
“So I find it interesting that many Nigerian youths are taking interest in the party. It means that the message we are sending is getting through to the people.
“This country has derailed to a situation where we need to rebuild. And if you look at our message and the manifesto that was presented to the public last week, you will see a comprehensive programme for the transformation of this country.
“We cannot continue drifting. The SDP wants to put this country back on track,” he added.
He also expressed confidence in the party’s presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, describing him as determined and prepared to lead the country.
“Fortunately, we have a presidential candidate who knows his onions, determined, young and ready to turn things around. So, we want to do something different that will lead to the liberation of this country if we come to power,” Gombe said.
Adebayo Tasks SDP Supporters On Grassroots Mobilisation
Also speaking during the meeting, the SDP presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, urged party members and supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adebayo said political influence was ultimately determined at the community level, stressing that national visibility and public speaking skills would not necessarily translate into electoral support without effective engagement with voters.
He noted that Nigeria had 176,846 polling units and urged SDP members to focus their efforts on reaching voters in their respective communities.
“Politics is done in the neighbourhoods. We have 176,846 polling units across the country. Any amount of command of English you have that does not convince your neighbour about how they are going to vote is wasted,” Adebayo said.
He further argued that political influence outside a candidate’s immediate community would have limited electoral impact if it could not translate into support at the local level.
“Any influence you have from Timbuktu to Accra that cannot influence how people vote in the community where you come from, that influence is academic. So we must go back,” he said.
According to Adebayo, political participation requires commitment to the country and a clear vision for the future.
“Politics is not a game of the mouth. It’s a game of the heart because the burden of politics is not easy. It is the love of your country and the vision of the future that will make you last long in politics,” he added.
Youth Group Calls For New Political Direction
The Regional President of the Confederation of West Africa Youth, Israel Akinola, also called for a new political direction ahead of the 2027 elections.
Akinola said Nigerians needed to critically consider the country’s development trajectory and work towards a political system capable of delivering sustainable development.
He also urged stakeholders in both the public and private sectors to collaborate through public-private partnerships to accelerate development.
The youth leader further criticised the practice of celebrating governments for providing basic public services, arguing that such services should be regarded as fundamental rights of citizens.
The engagement comes as political parties and aspirants intensify preparations, mobilisation and policy messaging ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
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