Foundation, Swiss Embassy Launch Initiative For Women

As Nigeria continues to confront the gap between constitutional equality and political reality, TOS Foundation Africa and  the Embassy of Switzerland in Nigeria have launched the HerCademy Legislative Mentorship Programme to prepare women for public office and effective legislative leadership.

This came as calls for reserved seats for women gathers momentum as the nation prepares for 2027 election year.

Founder of TOS Foundation Africa, Osasu Igbinedion-Ogwuche in her opening remarks, said, “Nigeria does not lack capable women. What we lack are systems that expect women to lead—and structures that support them to win and govern effectively.”

She said HerCademy was designed to go beyond access and focus on power and performance:

“This is not just about participation; it is about power—equipping women to understand how

laws are made, how systems work, and how to lead with competence and clarity once they are in the room.”

Switzerland’s Chargé d’Affaires to Nigeria, Mr. Siamak Rouhani, highlighted the urgency of the intervention.

He said, “Women make up less than 5% of Nigeria’s National Assembly—the lowest rate of female parliamentary representation in Africa.

By investing in these aspiring parliamentarians, we are advancing inclusive governance as the backbone of a stable and prosperous society.”