Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, have called for urgent measures to increase women’s participation in politics and governance, warning that Nigeria’s democratic development could be undermined if gender disparities in leadership positions persist.
The two leaders spoke at the 2026 National Women Summit of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, held under the theme: “Advancing Women’s Inclusion in Politics and Governance: Addressing Barriers to Women’s Participation and Representation.”
Represented by the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Governor Soludo said women have consistently demonstrated competence, commitment and effectiveness in leadership roles and should be given greater opportunities to contribute to governance and national development.
Ibezim noted that the Soludo administration has prioritised women’s inclusion in government appointments, resulting in significant female representation across key positions in the state.
According to him, women currently occupy strategic offices, including those of the Secretary to the State Government and the Head of Service, reflecting the administration’s commitment to inclusive governance.
He argued that women have repeatedly proven their ability to manage institutions and resources effectively, adding that empowering women often translates into broader social and economic progress.
“Any structure entrusted to women has the potential to grow from strength to strength. Our experience at the grassroots level has shown that women are highly dedicated and effective when given responsibility,” he said.
Despite these gains, the deputy governor expressed concern over the declining number of women occupying elective positions across Nigeria.
He noted that female representation in the Senate and the House of Representatives has dropped significantly over the years, falling below five per cent after previously reaching about 10 per cent.
“We must examine the reasons behind this decline and take deliberate steps to address the underlying challenges,” he added.
In her address, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu described women’s inclusion as not only a matter of democratic fairness but also a crucial factor for national development and social justice.
She lamented that despite making up nearly half of Nigeria’s population and contributing significantly to the country’s development, women remain underrepresented in political institutions and decision-making structures.
“Women occupy only a small fraction of seats in the National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly and executive political offices. This is not due to a lack of competence or leadership ability but rather the result of longstanding structural barriers,” she said.
The minister identified factors such as the high cost of political participation, political violence, cultural stereotypes, inadequate campaign financing and limited access to party structures as major obstacles preventing women from contesting and winning elective positions.
According to her, excluding women from governance deprives society of valuable perspectives on issues such as education, healthcare, economic development, peace-building and social welfare.
“When women are excluded from decision-making, society loses critical insights and opportunities. Inclusive governance consistently produces stronger institutions, more balanced policies and more sustainable development outcomes,” she stated.
Drawing from her diplomatic experiences, Ojukwu said countries that have deliberately promoted women’s participation in politics have recorded stronger democratic institutions and improved socio-economic outcomes.
She cited countries such as Tanzania and Namibia as examples where affirmative measures and political commitment have significantly increased women’s representation in governance.
The minister also endorsed the proposed reserved seats bill before the National Assembly, describing it as a practical measure designed to address historical imbalances and expand opportunities for women in leadership.
“This proposal should not be seen as a favour to women. It is a democratic corrective intended to remove barriers that have prevented capable women from participating fully in governance,” she said.
Earlier, APGA National Woman Leader, Elizabeth Nwokeocha, said the summit was organised to advocate greater representation of women in governance and decision-making processes.
She expressed concern that women currently occupy less than five per cent of legislative seats in Nigeria and noted that the number of female candidates emerging from party primaries has continued to decline.
“The number of women securing party tickets is lower than in previous election cycles. Urgent action is needed to reverse this trend,” she said.
Also speaking at the event, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, represented by Dominic Okafor, said increasing women’s participation is essential for strengthening democratic institutions and improving governance outcomes.
Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara, accused political parties of failing to provide women with meaningful opportunities during party primaries despite publicly supporting gender inclusion.
She argued that women are often mobilised during election campaigns but remain excluded from leadership and decision-making positions within political structures.
Ogbara urged lawmakers, political parties and stakeholders to support reforms that would enhance women’s access to elective offices and improve Nigeria’s standing on gender representation.
In her keynote address, former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Pauline Tallen, called for decisive action to reverse the decline in women’s political representation, stressing that women have consistently demonstrated leadership capacity across all sectors of national life.
Soludo, Bianca Ojukwu Raise Concern Over Women’s Low Representation in Nigerian Politics
