Abuja, Nigeria — The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has called on the National Assembly and political parties to take deliberate steps to protect and promote women’s participation in Nigeria’s political space.
She made the call on Saturday in Abuja at the maiden National Women’s Summit organised by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), themed: “Inclusion in Politics and Governance: Addressing Barriers to Women’s Participation and Representation.”
Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed that political inclusion must go beyond legislation, describing the summit as a critical national engagement that touches on development, justice, and democratic advancement.
Highlighting the gender gap in governance, the minister noted that although women make up nearly half of Nigeria’s population, they remain significantly underrepresented in both the legislative and executive arms of government at all levels.
She warned that Nigeria’s democracy cannot reach its full potential if a large proportion of its population continues to be excluded from decision-making processes.
“Women have consistently demonstrated excellence across governance, diplomacy, academia, business, science, agriculture, and civil society, yet there remains a glaring disparity between their capabilities and their representation in elected institutions,” she said.
The minister attributed the imbalance to longstanding structural and systemic barriers, including the high cost of political participation, cultural stereotypes, electoral violence and intimidation, unequal access to party structures, inadequate political financing, and entrenched social norms.
According to her, the consequences of these challenges are not only unjust to women but also detrimental to Nigeria’s democratic growth.
Drawing from her international engagements, Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that countries that have prioritised women’s political inclusion have recorded stronger democratic institutions and improved economic outcomes.
She cited examples from Africa, including Tanzania and Namibia, where deliberate policies such as affirmative action and constitutional provisions have significantly boosted women’s representation.
“Progress does not happen by chance; it happens through political will,” she emphasised.
The minister also threw her weight behind the Reserved Seats for Women Bill currently before the National Assembly, urging lawmakers to view it not as a concession but as a necessary democratic corrective to address historical imbalances.
She further stressed that advancing women’s inclusion is a collective responsibility that requires commitment from both men and women.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu urged political parties to play their critical role as gatekeepers of democracy by creating intentional pathways for women to emerge as candidates and leaders.
She called for reforms such as transparent nomination processes, reduced nomination fees, mentorship programmes, leadership development initiatives, and protection against political violence.
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Commending APGA for convening the summit, the minister urged all political stakeholders, regardless of party affiliation, to ensure that capable women are given meaningful opportunities to contribute to national development.
The summit brought together stakeholders from across the political spectrum to deliberate on strategies for enhancing women’s participation and representation in governance.
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