A former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) has raised concerns over the continued under-representation of women in Nigeria’s political space, describing the situation as a major obstacle to inclusive governance and national development. Speaking at a public forum on gender and leadership, the former AGF stressed that despite constitutional guarantees and advocacy campaigns, Nigerian women remain largely sidelined in political decision-making and elective positions.
He noted that women constitute nearly half of Nigeria’s population yet occupy less than 10 percent of seats in the National Assembly and other political offices across the country. This imbalance, he argued, undermines democracy and deprives the nation of the diverse perspectives and innovative leadership that women can bring to governance. He added that meaningful progress cannot be achieved if half of the population continues to be marginalized in the political process.
The former AGF pointed out that cultural barriers, financial constraints, and systemic discrimination remain major factors hindering women’s participation in politics. He argued that political parties must take responsibility by adopting internal reforms that prioritize gender inclusion, including reserving a percentage of elective and appointive positions for women. He also called for stricter enforcement of the National Gender Policy, which recommends 35 percent affirmative action for women in governance.
He further emphasized the role of legislation, urging the National Assembly to revisit bills aimed at promoting gender equality and political inclusion, many of which were rejected in the past. According to him, the rejection of such bills by lawmakers reflects deep-rooted resistance to change and a lack of political will to dismantle structures that have kept women on the margins of power.
Women rights groups and activists at the forum echoed the former AGF’s concerns, noting that Nigeria lags behind many African countries in terms of female political representation. They stressed that countries like Rwanda, South Africa, and Senegal have made significant strides by implementing gender quotas and other supportive policies, and Nigeria must learn from such models to bridge the gender gap in politics.
The former AGF also highlighted the importance of mentorship and education, urging successful women in politics and business to support younger women aspiring for leadership roles. He maintained that improving access to political funding, strengthening advocacy networks, and investing in grassroots mobilization are critical steps toward breaking the cycle of exclusion.
Concluding his remarks, he reiterated that women’s under-representation is not just a women’s issue but a national challenge that requires urgent action from government, civil society, and the private sector. He insisted that inclusive governance, which gives women equal opportunities to contribute, remains key to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and achieving sustainable development.
