Advancing gender-inclusive leadership and policies in Nigeria

BY ABOSEDE GEORGE-OGAN

Women in Nigeria face systemic exclusion from leadership and policy-making processes, perpetuating inequality and limiting national development. Despite Nigeria’s commitments to international treaties and the existence of a national gender policy, implementation remains weak due to entrenched cultural biases and political resistance.

Gender-inclusive leadership is critical for shaping policies that drive progress in education, healthcare, and economic development. Gender Development Experts who were guests on the show highlighted systemic barriers such as patriarchy, political exclusion, and inadequate legislative frameworks as the reason for lack of inclusion.

Women make up nearly half of Nigeria’s population yet remain significantly underrepresented in leadership and policy-making roles. This exclusion exacerbates gender inequality and negatively impacts key sectors such as education, healthcare, and economic empowerment. Addressing these gaps requires deliberate effort from policymakers, legislators, development organisations, and civil society actors to promote gender-inclusive leadership as a viable pathway to equitable policies that benefit all Nigerians.

Policy context and background

Since the 1995 Beijing Conference, Nigeria has committed to gender equality frameworks such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). However, implementation has been slow, and Nigeria has not domesticated key treaties like CEDAW. The National Gender Policy mandates 35% female representation in decision-making, yet women hold only 20% of executive positions in corporate Nigeria, and only 33% participate in the workforce.

Excluding women from leadership stifles national progress and hampers social and economic development. Women bring unique perspectives essential for sustainable human-centred policies. With over 133 million Nigerians living in poverty as of 2022, inclusive leadership is more critical than ever. Countries such as Rwanda and South Africa have achieved gender parity through affirmative action and legislative reforms. States like Kaduna and Kwara have made notable strides, with over 40% female representation within their cabinets.

Cultural norms, political violence, and financial barriers persist as significant obstacles to women’s participation in political leadership. Electoral violence and intimidation disproportionately affect women, deterring many from contesting political positions. Experts on the show highlighted the importance of women’s organisations uniting to advocate for gender equity and stressed the need for women to support and vote for female representatives in politics to foster greater inclusion.

One of the guests recounted the rejection of the five gender bills on March 1st, 2022, highlighting how it signified continued systemic exclusion and reinforced harmful societal norms against women. However, the women and young activists who continue to champion gender equality were commended, recognising their resilience in the fight for inclusion.

The ripple effect of exclusion

The exclusion of women from leadership roles results in policies that fail to address the unique challenges faced by girls, women and other marginalised groups. When leadership lacks gender diversity, policy decisions often overlook crucial aspects of healthcare, education, and economic empowerment that disproportionately impact women. For instance, inadequate maternity protections, the gender pay gap, and the lack of policies addressing gender-based violence or the care burden persist due to underrepresentation in decision-making.

Globally, countries with higher female representation in leadership tend to have more inclusive policies, stronger economies, and better social welfare programs. Nigeria’s continued gender imbalance in governance undermines its developmental goals and international positioning, limiting the nation’s potential for sustainable growth. To ensure accountability and impact, the experts recommended the development of a policy tracker to measure the effectiveness of gender inclusion initiatives. This should be a collective effort involving both men and women advocating for gender-balanced leadership and inclusive policies.

Another major point that was highlighted is the crucial role that data plays in policymaking, particularly in tracking the effectiveness of gender-inclusive initiatives and identifying gaps in implementation. In line with the sustainable development goals (SDG) principle of “leaving no one behind”, the importance of including women, youth, and persons with disabilities in governance and policy development is important. There must be an effort to intentionally foster inclusive leadership that represents the interests of all demographics and breaks the systemic barriers that limit women’s participation in governance.

Recommendations

Enforce gender quotas: Legislate a minimum of 35% female representation in appointive and elective positions.

Domesticate CEDAW: Expedite Nigeria’s adoption of CEDAW to strengthen legal protections for women.

Support female candidates: Provide financial and logistical support to women running for public office.

Build male alliances: Engage male leaders as allies in promoting gender equity and in advocacy efforts.

Invest in gender-responsive education: Integrate gender equality into school curricula to challenge stereotypes and empower future generations.

Develop policy trackers: Establish mechanisms to measure the impact of gender inclusion policies and hold stakeholders accountable.
Call to Action

Urgent legislative action is needed to pass pending Gender Bills and amend electoral laws to ensure gender-balanced leadership. Collaboration with civil society organisations, traditional leaders, and religious institutions is essential for shifting cultural norms and advocating for gender inclusion.

Nigeria stands at a crossroad. Achieving gender-inclusive leadership is crucial to unlocking equitable and sustainable development.

Addressing systemic barriers and recruiting male allies will enable women to take their place in leadership, ensuring policies reflect the diverse needs of all citizens. Immediate action is necessary to fulfil Nigeria’s national and international gender equality commitments, thereby creating a ripple effect that fosters inclusive policies for a prosperous society.

References
• National Bureau of Statistics (2022). “Multidimensional Poverty Index.”
• World Economic Forum (2023). “Global Gender Gap Report.”
• UN Women (1995). “Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.”
• Federal Ministry of Women Affairs (2020). “National Gender Policy (Revised).”
• Africa Business Insider
• The Cable

Abosede George-Ogan is the founder of Women in Leadership Advancement Network (WILAN) Global, an organisation dedicated to promoting gender-balanced leadership across political, economic, and public sectors. With over 20 years of tri-sector experience, she has worked with ActionAid International Nigeria, Keystone Bank, FirstBank, Samsung Electronics West Africa, and the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF). Under her leadership, WILAN Global received the Governor’s Award for Active Citizenship and Community Engagement in 2024.