Editorial
Nigeria, the so-called "Giant of Africa," has made significant strides in democracy and governance, yet its political landscape remains overwhelmingly male-dominated. Despite being the most populous African nation, not a single woman has ever been elected governor, and female representation in the National Assembly remains dismally low. This raises an important question: Is the exclusion of women from Nigerian politics systematic, cultural, or simply a reflection of societal biases?
The Gender Gap in Nigerian Politics
Since Nigeria's return to democracy in 1999, women have struggled to gain a significant foothold in politics. In the 2019 general elections, women constituted only 11.36% of candidates across all political offices, and in 2023, the numbers declined further. As of today, women make up only 3.62% of elected officials in the National Assembly—one of the lowest percentages in Africa.
Comparatively, Rwanda leads Africa with a 61.3% female representation in Parliament, followed by countries like South Africa and Ethiopia. Even in West Africa, Ghana, Liberia, and Senegal have made progress in gender inclusion. Yet, Nigeria, despite its democratic credentials, remains far behind.
Cultural and Religious Barriers: A Deep-Rooted Problem?
One of the most cited reasons for women’s exclusion from politics is deep-rooted cultural and religious conservatism, especially in Northern Nigeria. In many communities, leadership is seen as a male responsibility, and women who aspire to political positions are often labeled as "wayward" or "disrespectful."
Dr. Fatima Waziri, a gender rights activist, argues:
"Women in Nigeria are fighting not just political structures but cultural and religious perceptions that tell them they belong at home, not in governance."
In Northern states governed by Sharia law, societal norms often discourage women from taking public roles. For example, Aisha Alhassan, a former Minister and gubernatorial candidate in Taraba State, was one of the few women who came close to breaking the glass ceiling. Despite her popularity, she faced heavy opposition, with many openly arguing that a woman should not govern a predominantly Muslim state.
Similarly, in Southern Nigeria, where traditional leadership structures play a significant role in politics, women are often sidelined. Many traditional rulers and political kingmakers, who wield enormous influence, prefer male candidates, perpetuating a cycle where women are seen as political outsiders.
The Role of Political Parties: A Boys’ Club?
Political parties in Nigeria remain largely male-dominated. Despite the adoption of a 35% affirmative action policy, which was meant to reserve 35% of political appointments for women, major political parties have failed to implement it effectively.
Most political parties do not prioritize female candidates, often giving them less prominent roles or forcing them to run for less influential positions. Even when women contest for high offices, they face significant financial disadvantages. Campaigning in Nigeria is expensive, and women struggle to raise the necessary funds due to a lack of financial backing from party structures and business elites.
Former House of Representatives member, Hon. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, once lamented:
"Women are systematically denied access to political financing, and without money, winning elections in Nigeria is nearly impossible."
Electoral Violence and Intimidation
Another major factor keeping women out of politics is the prevalence of electoral violence and intimidation. Nigerian elections are often characterized by violence, ballot box snatching, and physical confrontations, making it difficult for women to participate actively.
For instance, during the 2019 elections, reports from organizations like the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) documented multiple cases where female candidates and their supporters were harassed or attacked. Many women, fearing for their safety, either withdrew from the race or opted not to contest at all.
Are There Success Stories?
Despite these challenges, a few women have managed to break barriers. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala became the first female Finance Minister and later the first African woman to lead the World Trade Organization (WTO). In Lagos, Joke Orelope-Adefulire served as Deputy Governor, while Amina Mohammed became Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.
At the legislative level, women like Remi Tinubu, Stella Oduah, and Uche Ekwunife have held Senate seats, but their numbers remain too small to make a systemic impact.
Way Forward: How Can Nigeria Bridge the Gender Gap?
To address the exclusion of women from politics, several steps need to be taken:
-
Implementation of Gender Quotas: Countries like Rwanda and Ethiopia have achieved gender balance through mandatory quotas. Nigeria needs a legal framework that ensures a percentage of elected and appointed offices go to women.
-
Financial Support for Female Politicians: Political parties and independent donors must provide financial backing for female candidates to level the playing field.
-
Strengthening Laws Against Electoral Violence: Stricter punishments for electoral violence and harassment of female politicians must be enforced.
-
Changing Societal Mindset: Continuous education and awareness campaigns are needed to shift cultural perceptions about women in leadership.
-
Encouraging Women to Run for Office: More mentorship programs should be created to groom young women for political leadership.
Conclusion
The exclusion of women from Nigerian politics is not accidental—it is a result of cultural, financial, and institutional barriers that have been in place for decades. If Nigeria truly wants to progress as a democratic nation, it must dismantle these structures and create an inclusive political system. Otherwise, it risks remaining one of the few countries where half of the population is politically invisible.
The question remains: Will Nigeria take the bold step toward gender equality in politics, or will the cycle of exclusion continue?