Nigeria’s democracy cannot fully progress without a deliberate effort to bring more women into politics and governance, according to Anambra State Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
The two political leaders made the call at the 2026 National Women Summit of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abuja, where stakeholders gathered under the theme “Advancing Women’s Inclusion in Politics and Governance: Addressing Barriers to Women’s Participation and Representation.”
Women Still Underrepresented
Speaking through Anambra State Deputy Governor Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Soludo warned that women’s representation in Nigeria’s federal legislature has dropped sharply over the years. He said the country has moved from a historic high of about 10 percent representation to less than 5 percent today.
He contrasted that national reality with Anambra State, where women occupy key executive positions, including Secretary to the State Government and Head of Service. According to him, empowering women is not only a fairness issue but also a path to stronger governance and broader social development.
Barriers Beyond Competence
Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said women’s exclusion from politics is not a question of ability, but a sign of deeper structural inequality. She identified several obstacles that continue to limit women’s chances of winning party tickets and electoral office.
These include:
- High campaign costs that put politics out of reach for many women.
- Political violence that makes campaigns unsafe and discouraging.
- Cultural stereotypes that still question women’s authority.
- Limited access to party structures and internal power networks.
Her remarks framed the issue as one of national justice and democratic development, not just gender representation.
Examples From Africa
Ojukwu also pointed to African countries such as Tanzania and Namibia, where affirmative action policies have helped improve women’s participation in governance. She used those examples to argue that Nigeria can also make progress if it adopts deliberate structural reforms.
She backed the Reserved Seats Bill currently before the National Assembly, saying it could serve as a practical tool for correcting long-standing imbalances in political representation.
Party Concerns Deepen
APGA National Woman Leader Elizabeth Nwokeocha also voiced concern over the shrinking number of women securing party tickets in recent election cycles. She said the decline is a warning sign for the future of women’s participation in Nigerian politics.
Nwokeocha stressed that the challenge cuts across party lines and requires collective action if Nigeria is serious about building a more inclusive political system.
Why This Matters
The message from the summit was clear: women’s political exclusion is weakening Nigeria’s democratic structure. Without reforms that address cost, safety, access, and representation, the country risks repeating the same cycle of underrepresentation.
For Soludo, Ojukwu, and APGA women leaders, the way forward is not symbolism. It is policy, structure, and sustained political will. Source Guardian News
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