Nigerian women: Time to reset political representation

Nigerian women have historically been the backbone of the nation, managing households, healing the sick, running businesses, and mobilizing communities. They have also demonstrated leadership in politics, yet their representation remains disproportionately low. The call is for a significant shift in the 2027 elections, moving beyond token wins to substantial representation.

Women constitute nearly half of all registered voters, actively funding campaigns, mobilizing support, and guarding votes. However, their presence on the winner's list is still too small. Deep-rooted traditional and religious norms in many communities still present barriers, framing politics as a male domain and limiting women's public voice. Despite these obstacles, Nigerian women have a history of breaking barriers, from queens and activists to current senators and commissioners.

The year 2027 is presented as a crucial reset moment. The goal is to see girls in Kano witness women running for governor, traders in Onitsha vote for women councilors, and major cities like Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, and Maiduguri send more women to legislative and executive positions. This transformation requires proactive engagement from every Nigerian woman.

The article encourages women to join political parties, run for local and regional offices, and actively fund, mentor, and vote for each other. It frames this not as rebellion but as a responsibility. The work begins at the grassroots, urging women to engage with their sisters, neighbors, religious groups, and market associations to identify and encourage women of integrity to contest. Becoming delegates, party executives, and building the necessary structures are key steps toward collective victory.