EU Enhances Support for Women’s Political Participation in Nigeria
The European Union has intensified its commitment to fostering women’s political involvement through a strategic meeting held in Abuja, paving the way for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. This initiative underscores the EU’s ongoing efforts to address gender inequality within the political landscape of Nigeria.
Challenges of Women’s Representation in Nigerian Politics
Nigeria has grappled with low levels of female representation in politics, despite being a signatory to numerous international agreements that promote gender equality, including the Beijing Declaration and the African Union’s Protocol on Women’s Rights. Although women constitute nearly half of Nigeria’s population and play significant roles as voters and grassroots activists, their representation in elected and appointed positions has remained stagnant since the country’s return to democratic governance in 1999.
Collaborative Efforts Ahead of 2027 Elections
The recent conference, organized by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Center and the Nigerian Women’s Trust Fund, was conducted in partnership with the Nigerian Bar Association’s Public Interest Development Law Section and is part of the EU’s flagship program for supporting democratic governance in Nigeria. Titled “Advancing Women’s Political Leadership: Strengthening Pathways to Inclusive Representation in 2027,” the event united parliamentarians, civil society members, development partners, and political figures to evaluate progress in women’s inclusion, assess the proposed special seats bill, and devise strategies for the upcoming election cycle.
Gender Disparity in Political Representation
The existing gender representation gap in Nigeria remains a pressing issue. Current election data reveals that women occupy less than 10 percent of elected positions in the country, positioning Nigeria at the end of the spectrum regarding gender inclusion across Africa. Notably, the 2023 elections saw a reduction in the number of women elected to parliament, despite increased advocacy and voter participation.
Advocacy for Legislative Change
Raolu Olawumi, Governance and Gender Adviser to the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, emphasized the need for political will to advance women’s representation. As the 2027 elections approach, she remarked on the constitutional reform process as a critical opportunity for promoting inclusivity. Olawumi reiterated that overcoming persistent barriers is crucial for achieving gender equality, development, and democratic progress.
Urgency for Special Seats Bill
Clement Nwankwo, Executive Director of the Center for Policy and Legal Advocacy, expressed concern over the significant underrepresentation of women in state legislatures, noting that 15 states currently lack any female representation. He stressed the urgency of passing the special seats bill, designed to create additional seats exclusively for women as a temporary affirmative action measure aimed at correcting historical disparities.
Structural Barriers and Future Prospects
Brenda Anugwomu, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Women’s Trust Fund, highlighted the ongoing structural barriers restricting women’s access to leadership roles. Despite active participation as voters and supporters, women remain drastically underrepresented in decision-making positions. Analysts attribute this imbalance to various factors, including exorbitant political campaign costs, election-related violence and intimidation, entrenched patriarchal traditions, and a lack of democratic practices within political parties that often marginalize female candidates during the selection process.
Calls for Action and Commitment to Inclusion
Associate Professor Uju Agomo, Chairperson of the Public Interest and Development Law Section of the Nigerian Bar Association, voiced her concerns about the continued exclusion within Nigeria’s political arena, urging a shift from discussion to decisive action. Afam Osigwe, the Bar Association’s President, reiterated that women have consistently proven their capabilities in leadership roles, calling for an increase in confidence in women’s leadership potential. Congressman Gaza Gbehwi shared optimism regarding the Special Seats Bill, attributing the rising momentum to increasing national attention, while also emphasizing the necessity to tackle cultural, religious, and social barriers that inhibit women’s comprehensive participation.
As Nigeria faces escalating pressure to align with international standards—which recommend that women hold between 30-35% of governance positions—prior national gender policies aimed at achieving similar goals continue to falter due to inadequate implementation and political consensus. The momentum gathered from this meeting reinforces the urgent need for sustained advocacy, enhanced political involvement, and comprehensive institutional reforms in political parties and governance frameworks to elevate women’s representation leading up to the 2027 elections.
