The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), in partnership with the Canadian Government, is advocating for greater representation of women in leadership and political roles across Nigeria.
During a two-day training organized by UN Women in Sagamu and Ikenne-Remo local government areas of Ogun State, it was highlighted that women currently make up only 10 percent of the National Assembly, a stark contrast to countries like South Africa and Rwanda.
Titlayo Daniel, a representative from NILDS, addressed the issue, stating that the gender gap in Nigeria’s political environment is concerning. The training, themed “Enhancing Representation: Female Legislators Constituency Outreach in Nigeria,” drew 300 women from various groups.
Daniel emphasized that when women are included in leadership roles, despite facing numerous challenges, they contribute to more inclusive policies, address poverty, and prioritize education and health issues. She noted that NILDS, with support from UN Women, is actively providing training for women politicians to strengthen their understanding of gender equality.
“It is no longer news that women’s leadership and political participation are restricted from the local to national levels,” Daniel said. “When women are involved in decision-making processes, societies prosper. Globally, it has been shown that women in leadership promote more inclusive policies and tackle poverty and inequality more effectively.”
She pointed out that currently, women represent less than 10% of the National Assembly, meaning the voices of more than half of the population are largely missing from critical decision-making. This, she noted, is an embarrassing statistic for Nigeria, often referred to as the giant of Africa, especially when compared to other nations such as Rwanda, which has 61.3% representation, South Africa at 46.2%, Malawi at 41%, and Sierra Leone at 30.4%.
NILDS supports gender equality advocates in calling on political parties, governments, and other stakeholders to empower women and push for legislative reforms to ensure fair access for women in political spheres.
In her remarks, Adewunmi Onanuga, the lawmaker representing Ikenne, Sagamu, and Remo North Federal Constituency, encouraged more women to participate in politics, urging them to seek opportunities rather than isolate themselves.
Community leader Abosede Erinle-Bright from Sagamu LGA added that education plays a crucial role in selecting individuals to hold political power, emphasizing the importance of informed choices in governance.
