Call for Enhanced Female Participation in Nigerian Politics by Key Leaders

At a policy dialogue held in Abuja, participants emphasized the urgent need for increased female participation in politics, warning that the ongoing marginalization of women in decision-making processes undermines Nigeria's democratic framework.

The event, themed "Democracy and the Voices of Women: From Voice to Power," was organized by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation as part of the 2026 International Women’s Day celebrations.

This year's observance, celebrated globally on March 8, aimed to acknowledge the contributions of women and reinforce calls for gender equality.

The focus was on transforming symbolic representation of women in politics into tangible political influence.

In a panel discussion, the National Chairperson of the Labour Party, Nenadi Usman, remarked that women's roles in Nigeria's political landscape are often relegated to ceremonial functions, particularly during election campaigns, rather than substantial involvement in decision-making roles.

Mrs. Usman, who previously served as a senator and minister of finance, pointed out that women are primarily visible during campaigns, typically engaged in mobilization efforts such as songs and dances, rather than in critical decision-making capacities.

"The types of voices being amplified are often only heard during campaigns, when women are called upon to entertain or to mobilize support, making them the only visible representation among a group of men," she noted.

She stressed the imperative for women to assert their claims to political representation directly rather than allowing others to convey their interests.

According to her, women exhibit their leadership potential in their families and communities through roles in raising children and mentoring younger generations.

“If women can be trusted to nurture the next generation and instill values, then we certainly possess the capability to lead effectively in public life. Mothers inherently teach leadership qualities such as accountability, resilience, and discipline,” she stated.

Mrs. Usman attributed the slow advancement of women’s political representation partly to a lack of collective support among women, in contrast to the political solidarity often displayed by men.

"Men tend to unite effortlessly, transcending age barriers. However, older women frequently do not mentor or collaborate closely with younger women. It is vital that we alter this dynamic," she urged.

She recounted her experience in a past senatorial primary where two male candidates withdrew their support to rally for another male candidate as her chances of winning became apparent.

"This kind of solidarity among women is uncommon. Should women from diverse political parties come together to support a singular candidate, our collective power would greatly increase," she added.

Mrs. Usman affirmed that the Labour Party will prioritize removing financial obstacles for women pursuing elective roles, insisting that those keen on contesting elections should not face prohibitive costs merely to obtain party nominations.

"We envision a scenario where aspiring female candidates can register and run for office simply based on their popularity and support," she articulated.

She further spoke on the challenge of balancing political responsibilities with family obligations, acknowledging that women often juggle public duties alongside domestic roles.

During the discussion, Akin Rotimi, the spokesperson for the House of Representatives, represented by his aide Temidayo Taiwo-Sidiq, mentioned that the current House leadership has initiated measures to enhance gender inclusivity within parliamentary procedures.

Mr. Taiwo-Sidiq revealed that gender inclusion has been embedded into the House's legislative priorities, underscoring its significance from the onset of this assembly.

"Upon the House's inauguration in June, we established a dedicated legislative agenda, specifically Agenda Six, focused on inclusion issues, further affirming our commitment to this cause," he explained.

He noted that this assembly is the first to create two specialized committees: the Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development and the Committee on Women in Parliament, which he highlighted as fundamental steps towards enhancing women's representation.

Currently, 15 out of 17 female legislators occupy leadership roles within committees.

"The two who have not yet secured such positions were elected in an August bye-election and are expected to be assigned roles shortly," he added.

He went on to reveal that the House is contemplating various legislative proposals to strengthen female political participation, including a bill for reserved seats for women.

Taiwo-Sidiq also discussed a proposal for independent candidacy, which aims to empower individuals to contest elections without necessarily depending on political party affiliations.

"The provision for independent candidacy is essential so that when political parties close their doors to women or when inter-party conflicts arise, qualified women can still run for elections based on their merit and public backing," he articulated.

He further stated that this bill has successfully passed its second reading and will be reviewed during the ongoing constitutional amendment process.

Ene Obi, a human rights advocate, delivered the keynote address and expressed concern regarding Nigeria's poor standing in women's political representation, indicating that the nation ranks low globally in terms of the participation of women in governance roles.

Mrs. Obi remarked that while women represent nearly half of Nigeria’s demographic, their influence in political decision-making compartments is severely lacking.

“Despite women comprising approximately 49.3% of the population, their presence in political offices is notably limited. Actual decision-making tables remain predominantly male,” she pointed out.

She documented the patterns of female representation in the National Assembly since the re-establishment of democracy in Nigeria in 1999.

For instance, she indicated that only three women were part of the Senate in 1999, a number which increased to nine in 2007, but subsequently dropped to four in the current Senate.

According to her statements regarding the House of Representatives, female representation has fluctuated through the years with the peak occurring in 2007 when 27 women were elected.

“In the current assembly, only 17 out of 360 members in the House are women, reflecting a range of three to five percent representation, which is alarmingly low,” she added.

Mrs. Obi contended that such underrepresentation significantly hampers women's ability to advocate for policies relevant to women and girls.

She called for greater mentorship for young girls and emphasized the importance of providing training to female politicians to enhance their visibility and ability to communicate effectively in public and media settings.

The activist commended Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu for their legislative support towards improving women’s representation, specifically concerning the proposed reserved seats bill.

She noted with concern that gender equality initiatives had faced prolonged stagnation but remained hopeful that current efforts could yield meaningful advancements.

“Legislators must see this through by casting their votes on the bill. Amplifying women's representation is crucial for enhancing democracy,” she urged.

Mrs. Obi concluded by encouraging attendees to reflect on the essential roles women fulfill within their families and communities, stressing that society heavily relies on women's contributions, despite their exclusion from major decision-making forums.

“Women are the backbone of communities, nurturers of families, and supporters of the informal economy. Yet, their representation in pivotal decision-making bodies like the National Assembly is minimal,” she stated.

She further emphasized that enhancing women's political engagement will not only foster equity but also fortify the legitimacy of democracy in Nigeria.