As the world marks another International Women’s Day, the question arises: Do Nigerian women truly have a voice?
Although Nigerian and African women are continuously breaking barriers, systemic challenges—especially in leadership—continue to persist as significant obstacles. From political appointments to corporate boardrooms, women who challenge the status quo often find themselves sidelined or ousted.
Can we truly say that Nigerian women have a voice?
Women make up 49.3% of Nigeria’s population, yet their representation in governance and decision-making remains dismally low.
In the 2023 elections, only 2.8% of seats in the upper legislative chamber and 3.9% in the lower chamber were won by women, making Nigeria one of the least gender-representative countries in Africa. By contrast, the global average of women in parliament stands at 26.5%, with countries like Rwanda surpassing 60%.
While women-led businesses account for 41% of enterprises in Nigeria, these women continue to struggle with financial access, discriminatory policies, and limited political backing.
Women’s economic participation remains unequal, with a gender wage gap of 45% and only 56% of women in the workforce compared to 80% of men.
Has anything changed between 2024 and 2025?
Some notable strides have been made in the past year.
President Bola Tinubu’s 2024 cabinet reshuffle saw the appointment of several female ministers, including Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Jumoke Oduwole as Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment. However, these appointments have not significantly altered the overall under-representation of women in governance.
Across Africa, progress has been more pronounced. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) appointed its first female Prime Minister, Judith Tuluka Suminwa, while Ghana saw its first female Vice President, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang. These milestones signal growing acceptance of women in leadership, though resistance remains.
Are Women in Leadership Being Silenced?
A troubling pattern has, however, emerged in Nigeria—women who attain leadership positions and begin to challenge systemic inequalities often face severe pushback.
Whether in politics, corporate leadership, or governance, female leaders are frequently undermined, isolated, or forced out when they attempt to implement progressive reforms.
Several Nigerian women in leadership positions have been removed under questionable circumstances, reinforcing concerns that the system resists women who challenge the status quo.
One prominent example is Barrister Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, who was dismissed as Minister of Women Affairs in October 2024, just months after being appointed to President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet. While the government did not publicly disclose reasons for her removal, speculation suggests internal political struggles played a role.
Another significant case is Patricia Etteh, Nigeria’s first female Speaker of the House of Representatives, who was forced to resign in 2007 amid corruption allegations. Many analysts believe she was unfairly targeted, and 16 years later, discussions around her removal continue, with calls for restitution and greater gender inclusion in leadership.
Additionally, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s political journey serves as another glaring example of the systemic resistance to women in leadership. Despite winning the senatorial seat for Kogi Central in 2023, her tenure has been marred by intense political opposition, legal battles, and attempts to delegitimize her victory. Senator Natasha’s resilience in the face of these challenges highlights the institutional barriers that female leaders in Nigeria continue to face.
In legislative roles, women’s voices are routinely drowned out by their male counterparts. With such low representation in government, the capacity of women to push for policy reforms remains minimal. The few who manage to introduce transformative policies frequently encounter political gatekeeping and institutional roadblocks.
While Nigerian women are gaining recognition in various sectors, their ability to influence policy remains constrained by systemic barriers. The slow increase in female representation in governance is a positive development, but it is not happening at a pace fast enough to disrupt male-dominated power structures.
On a continental level, Sub-Saharan Africa has seen a rise in female parliamentary representation, reaching 27.3% in early 2024. However, Nigeria lags behind this trend, highlighting the need for targeted policies to accelerate women’s political inclusion.
What’s the way forward?
To ensure that women in leadership are not only appointed but also empowered to lead effectively, several strategic interventions must be adopted:
- Institutional Safeguards—Strengthening legal frameworks to protect women in leadership from politically motivated removals. Anti-discrimination laws should be enforced to prevent unjust dismissals.
- Stronger Political and Corporate Networks— Women leaders need robust support systems, including mentorship programs, coalitions, and legal backing to resist unfair ousting.
- Media and Public Awareness – Gender-sensitive reporting should be encouraged to prevent the vilification of women leaders who challenge existing power structures.
- Quotas and Affirmative Action – Enforcing gender quotas in politics and leadership roles, similar to Rwanda’s approach, can significantly improve representation.
- Citizen Advocacy and Grassroots Movements – Women’s movements in Nigeria and Africa must intensify efforts to hold institutions accountable when female leaders are unfairly removed.
While Nigerian women have a voice, it remains stifled by systemic obstacles. It is not enough to place women in leadership positions—society must also ensure they have the authority, resources, and protection to implement change. A cultural, legal, and institutional shift is needed to break the cycle of silencing women who dare to challenge the status quo.
The path forward requires collective action from policymakers, private sector leaders, and civil society to ensure that women are not only seen but truly heard in Nigeria and across Africa.
