Women’s exclusion from National Assembly leadership: An unacceptable development

By Gloria Laraba Shoda

The recent appointment of Hon. Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka as the new Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives has further highlighted a troubling reality: there is not a single woman among the ten presiding and principal officers leading the Nigerian House of Representatives today.

While I extend my congratulations to Hon. Isiaka and pray that God grants him the wisdom, good health, and strength to serve our nation effectively, I cannot ignore the larger issue at hand. With this appointment replacing the late Rt. Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, it is now glaringly evident that there are no women among the 20 presiding and principal officers leading the entire National Assembly of Nigeria.

This is a deeply disappointing development for Nigerian women. It disregards the immense contributions women have made to the democratic process that ushered in the Fourth Republic in 1999 and undermines the efforts of countless women who have mobilised the electorate for elections over the past 26 years.

As a former President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) and the current President of the Africa Regional Council of Women (ARCW), I find it imperative to voice the concerns of women across Nigeria and beyond. Likewise, as a board member of the International Council of Women (ICW), I must express the collective disappointment of Nigerian women at home and in the diaspora over their exclusion from the leadership of the legislative arm of the Federal Government.

It is commendable that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has recognised the competence and value of women in his administration, as seen in the appointment of a female Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. These appointments reflect a commitment to gender inclusion at the executive and judicial levels. However, the legislative arm—a crucial pillar of democracy—has completely sidelined women in leadership.

Legislative arm must be gender-inclusive

A fundamental distinction between a democratic government and other forms of governance is the existence of a robust legislative arm. It is deeply concerning that a National Assembly comprising 109 senators and 360 House of Representatives members has failed to include even one woman in its 20 principal leadership positions.

The Senate currently has three female members:Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo (Rivers West) – A medical doctor and former Deputy Governor of Rivers State; Senator Ireti Kingibe (FCT) – A civil engineer with vast experience in infrastructure development; Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) – A lawyer and social entrepreneur with a strong background in governance advocacy.

Despite their impressive credentials, none of these highly qualified women were considered for a principal leadership position. Similarly, the House of Representatives, which has 17 female members, also failed to include any woman in its leadership. This is neither just nor acceptable.

I understand that political considerations such as zoning and party agreements influence leadership selection. However, this does not excuse the complete exclusion of women. Women’s groups and advocates, myself included, have long championed gender sensitivity, gender equality, and gender balance in governance. The argument that leadership appointments are based on merit is insufficient and misleading. A closer look at the qualifications of female lawmakers shows that many have first degrees, some hold PhDs, and others have vast professional experience that makes them just as qualified as their male counterparts.

Gender balance is a national imperative

Nigeria’s governance structure recognises the need for minority representation, as seen in the creation of positions such as Minority Leader, Deputy Minority Leader, Minority Whip, and Deputy Minority Whip. Similarly, all states, regardless of size, have equal Senate representation and are entitled to ministerial and ambassadorial appointments. If such considerations exist for ethnic and regional representation, why is gender equity overlooked?

Women have played a crucial role in Nigeria’s political evolution since the pre-colonial era. The creation of the Office of the First Lady, even without constitutional backing, underscores the recognition of women’s importance in governance. Similarly, the existence of the Ministry of Women Affairs at both federal and state levels ensures that women’s perspectives are considered in policymaking. It is therefore unacceptable that the legislative arm, in a democratic dispensation, fails to reflect this inclusivity.

Call for structural change

How can a 10-member leadership team in both legislative chambers fail to include even one woman? How can the 10th National Assembly justify a complete absence of women in its principal leadership positions when at least 17 qualified women are available?

The late Rt. Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga’s commendable performance as Deputy Chief Whip is proof that Nigerian women are capable leaders. Beyond politics, Nigerian women continue to excel on the global stage—Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Amina Mohammed as Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Tobi Amusan as a world champion in athletics. The notion that merit is the reason for women’s exclusion in legislative leadership does not hold water.

As President of the Africa Regional Council of Women and a board member of the International Council of Women, I advocate the reservation of at least one principal office for women in the Senate and the House of Representatives. Political parties and lawmakers must embed gender sensitivity in their leadership selection processes.

Gender equality and inclusion are already deeply embedded in various sectors of our society, including professional associations, student unions, and labour organisations. Our lawmakers must not ignore this essential democratic principle. Women actively participate in political campaigns and voting; they deserve representation in leadership.

A vision for the future

Our national anthem declares that “the labor of our heroes past shall never be in vain.” The efforts of legendary women like Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Margaret Ekpo, Lady Kofoworola Ademola, and Hajia Gambo Sawaba paved the way for the liberation of the Nigerian girl-child and the advancement of women’s rights. Their advocacy led to improved access to education for girls and the opportunity for women to pursue successful careers.

These struggles bore fruit, producing trailblazers like Chief (Mrs.) Bola Kuforiji-Olubi, the first female Chairman of the United Bank for Africa and a former federal minister; Senator Binta Masi Garba, the daughter of a presidential driver who rose to prominence in politics; and Ambassador Folake Marcus-Bello, who advanced from student union leadership to diplomatic service.

When we advocate for gender equality and inclusion, we are not merely fighting for the present—we are securing the future for young girls across Nigeria, from Makurdi to Damaturu, Ikot Ekpene to Gashua, Agbor to Ilorin, and Ajegunle. We are laying the foundation for them to aspire to and attain leadership positions, whether as heads of professional bodies, state governors, or even the President of the Senate.

This vision is what our nation’s founding leaders intended. It is what we must build upon to leave behind a stronger, more equitable Nigeria. If we fail in this responsibility, we risk discouraging our best and brightest, fuelling the “Japa” syndrome that drains our nation’s talent to foreign lands—exemplified by individuals like Kemi Badenoch, a British cabinet minister of Nigerian descent.

May God grant our leaders the wisdom, strength, and integrity to guide Nigeria toward a future where gender equality is not just an ideal but a reality.

•Dr. Gloria Laraba Shoda, MFR, mni, is President & Founder, Africa League of Women Voters (ALWOV)