The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has called for increased female representation in Nigerian politics. He made this appeal at an international legislative dialogue focused on women and constitutional amendment.
Abbas emphasized the importance of women’s voices in shaping the nation’s future. He cited global examples like Rwanda, where women hold significant political power, as inspiration for Nigeria. He argued that women bring unique perspectives that can drive positive change in areas such as healthcare and economic policy.
The Senate President Godwill Akpabio who was represented by Kaka Shehu, also urged the constitution review committee to prioritize women’s rights.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu further highlighted the potential economic benefits of increased female participation in politics, estimating a 9% boost to Nigeria’s GDP by 2025. He also expressed concern over the limited opportunities for women to contest in the recent general elections.
Olufolake Abdulrazaq who spoke on behalf of the first Lady Oluremi Tinubu, lamented the lack of inclusivity for women in both elective and appointive positions, despite their significant contributions to the electoral process.
The United Nations Development Programme’s Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, urged the government to engage women and ensure their voices are heard in decision-making, stressing that the need for gender-sensitive language in the constitution and for women to be included in key positions.
