IWD: Onaiwu Advocates Stronger Political Will For Women’s Representation

As the world marks International Women’s Day, a governance advocate and Former Director-General of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Oghale Onaiwu, has called on state governors across Nigeria to prioritise the inclusion of women in governance and decision-making processes.

Onaiwu stressed that meaningful development and sustainable democracy cannot be achieved without deliberate efforts to ensure greater participation of women in leadership at all levels of government.

In a statement issued to commemorate the global event, he noted that despite the critical roles women play in society, they remain underrepresented in political and administrative leadership across the country.

According to him, increasing women’s participation in governance is essential to building inclusive institutions and promoting balanced policy outcomes that reflect the needs of all citizens.

He therefore urged governors to demonstrate stronger political will by appointing more qualified women into strategic positions within their administrations.

“Women possess the competence, resilience and leadership qualities required to contribute significantly to governance and national development. Their inclusion is not just a matter of fairness but a necessity for effective leadership,” he said.

Onaiwu further emphasised the need for policies and initiatives that promote gender equality and empower women to participate actively in politics and public service.

He added that encouraging women to take up leadership roles would not only strengthen democratic institutions but also accelerate social and economic development across the country.

The governance advocate also called on political parties, civil society organisations and stakeholders to intensify efforts toward creating enabling environments that support women’s participation in politics.

He maintained that achieving gender balance in governance requires collective commitment from government institutions, political actors and society at large.

Onaiwu urged Nigerians to use the occasion of International Women’s Day to reflect on the importance of women’s contributions to national development and to support initiatives that promote gender inclusion in leadership.