European Union has stepped up efforts to promote women’s political participation in Nigeria, convening a high-level strategy meeting in Abuja ahead 2027 general elections.
The meeting, themed “Advancing Women’s Political Leadership: Strengthening Pathways to Inclusive Representation in 2027,” brought together lawmakers, civil society organisations, development partners, and political actors to assess progress and map out strategies for improving women’s representation in governance.
Despite Nigeria being a signatory to global and regional gender equality frameworks, including the Beijing Declaration and the African Union Protocol on Women’s Rights—women’s participation in politics remains disproportionately low.
Available data indicate that women occupy less than 10 per cent of elective positions nationwide, placing Nigeria among the lowest-ranking countries in Africa in terms of female political representation. The 2023 general elections further underscored this imbalance, recording a decline in the number of women elected into the National Assembly.
Stakeholders at the meeting noted that although women make up nearly half of Nigeria’s population and play critical roles as voters and grassroots mobilisers, their presence in decision-making positions continues to lag.
The engagement was organised by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre and the Nigerian Women Trust Fund—both beneficiaries of the EU’s democratic governance programme—in collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law.
Speaking at the event, EU Governance and Gender Adviser, Laolu Olawumi, stressed that political will remains central to achieving meaningful inclusion.
“As the 2027 elections approach, the constitutional reform process presents a critical opportunity to promote inclusion,” she said, emphasising that women’s participation is essential for democratic growth, equality, and sustainable development.
A major highlight of the discussions was the renewed push for the Special Seats Bill, a proposed legislative measure aimed at creating additional seats for women in Nigeria’s legislative bodies as a form of affirmative action.
Executive Director of PLAC, Clement Nwankwo, expressed concern over the absence of women in several state legislatures, revealing that 15 states currently have no female representation in their Houses of Assembly.
He warned that without the passage of the Special Seats Bill, broader constitutional reforms may fail to deliver meaningful progress on inclusion.
Similarly, Brenda Anugwom, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, pointed to structural barriers that continue to hinder women’s political advancement. She noted that while women actively participate in elections, they are often excluded from leadership roles.
Experts identified several factors responsible for the persistent gender imbalance, including:
High cost of political campaigns, which disproportionately affects female aspirants
Electoral violence and intimidation, discouraging women from contesting
Deep-rooted patriarchal norms and cultural biases
Lack of internal democracy within political parties, limiting fair candidate selection
Chairperson of the NBA-SPIDEL, Uju Agomoh, called for a shift from dialogue to concrete action, stressing that Nigeria’s democratic system cannot thrive without inclusiveness.
President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe (SAN), urged political actors to trust in women’s leadership capacity, noting their consistent track record of competence across sectors.
Also speaking, House of Representatives member Gaza Gbefwi expressed optimism about the prospects of the Special Seats Bill, citing increasing national attention and advocacy. However, he stressed the need to confront cultural, religious, and societal barriers that continue to impede progress.
The renewed advocacy aligns with global recommendations calling for 30–35 per cent affirmative action for women in governance. While Nigeria has adopted similar targets in past gender policies, implementation has remained weak due to limited enforcement and insufficient political commitment.
As Nigeria prepares for another electoral cycle, stakeholders emphasised that achieving gender balance will require:
Institutional reforms within political parties
Sustained advocacy and public awareness
Legislative backing, particularly through the Special Seats Bill
The meeting concluded with a unified call for action, urging policymakers and political leaders to prioritise inclusiveness and ensure that women play a central role in shaping Nigeria’s democratic future.
