UYO
The African Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO) has raised serious concerns over the declining participation and representation of women in Nigerian politics, calling for urgent and deliberate action to reverse what it described as a dangerous trend threatening gender inclusion in governance.
In a press release issued on May 22, 2026, and made available to The Pioneer, the organisation lamented the increasing exclusion of women from elective and appointive positions, particularly through political party primary processes and electoral outcomes that continue to limit women’s access to leadership opportunities across the country.
Signed by AWLO Founder and Global President, Dr. Elisha Attai, and the organisation’s Board chairperson and former Vice President of Liberia, Jewel Howard-Taylor, the statement noted that recent political developments in Nigeria have exposed a worrying decline in commitment to gender-balanced leadership.
According to the organisation, statistics from the 2023 general elections revealed that female representation in the Nigerian legislature dropped by approximately 30 percent, declining from 6.4 percent in 2011 to 4.4 percent in 2023. AWLO described the figures as alarming and indicative of a growing sociopolitical threat to women’s representation in the country.
The organisation observed that despite the immense contributions of women to national development, democratic growth, economic advancement, and community building, women remain grossly underrepresented in Nigeria’s political landscape.
“Women continue to remain significantly underrepresented in Nigeria’s political landscape despite their immense contributions to nation-building, democratic growth, economic advancement, and community development. Nigeria as a society cannot truly progress while systematically limiting the voices, visibility, and opportunities of half of its population,” the statement read.
AWLO stressed that the current political climate demands deep reflection from political parties, democratic institutions, and stakeholders across Nigeria, insisting that inclusion must go beyond rhetoric and public declarations.
The group maintained that genuine gender inclusion must be reflected in practical actions, policies, nominations, and electoral outcomes deliberately designed to create opportunities for women to participate and lead.
Particularly, the organisation expressed concern over the reported disqualification of Ipalibo Banigo, describing the development as troubling given that she is one of only four women currently serving in the Nigerian Senate and the only female senatorial representative from Rivers State.
AWLO said situations such as Banigo’s further underscore the urgent need for political systems and party structures that not only encourage women’s participation but also protect and expand the limited political space currently available to women.
The organisation therefore called on political parties, policymakers, and democratic stakeholders to take immediate and progressive steps toward ensuring greater inclusion of women in governance and politics.
“It is not too late to do right by Nigerian women and by our society,” the statement emphasized, adding that as the most populous Black nation in the world, Nigeria stands at a critical crossroads where the opportunity for gender-conscious political reforms must be embraced with sincerity and commitment.
AWLO further noted that the future of equity, collective prosperity, and sustainable development can only be achieved when women are given fair access to leadership and decision-making positions at all levels of governance.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for policies and reforms that would strengthen women’s political participation and ensure a more inclusive democratic process in Nigeria.
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