Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for renewed political will to advance women’s proportional representation across West Africa, describing gender parity as “a democratic imperative that can no longer be delayed.”
Represented by the Wife of the Deputy Senate President, Mrs. Ajalaela Barau, Mrs. Tinubu delivered her message at the official opening of the ECOWAS Parliament’s 25th Anniversary Dialogue Session on women’s inclusion in governance.
“I am delighted to join you as guest speaker to commemorate 25 years of the ECOWAS Parliament,” she said. “Women constitute more than half of our population, yet their representation in governance has historically fallen short. The time for action is now, and we must seize this moment to build a more equitable society for all.”
She commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for increasing the number of women appointed to key leadership roles and reiterated support for the Reserved Seats Bill pending before the National Assembly.
“The fact that the conversation is alive within Parliament shows a readiness to confront structural barriers,” she stated. “When women are present in governance, policies on health, education, agriculture and social welfare better reflect community needs.”
Declaring the forum open, she urged delegates to “mentor, support and uplift young women so the next generation of female leaders is even better prepared and empowered.”
President of the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA), Mrs. Veronica Kadie Sesay, said the session marked a defining moment for the region’s democratic journey.
“Proportional representation is not just a topic for discussion,” she said. “It is the foundation for a just, stable and prosperous West Africa.”
Sesay paid tribute to past and present female leaders across the sub-region, including Liberia’s former Vice President and current Secretary-General of the All Africa First Ladies Peace Mission, Madam Jewel Howard-Taylor, describing her as “a pioneer whose election broke a glass ceiling.”
She reaffirmed ECOFEPA’s commitment to advancing quota systems, expanding women’s political participation and pushing for at least 30 percent representation in decision-making bodies.
“Progress has been made, but it is too slow and uneven,” she warned. “Nothing justifies the continued marginalisation of women in governance.”
Speaking on behalf of the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima, the Second Deputy Speaker Ms. Ibrahim Kolibweli said the sub-region’s integration efforts cannot succeed without women.
“The future of our community rests on consolidating the rightful place of women in governance,” he said. “For 25 years, the ECOWAS Parliament has carried the voice of West Africans. Today, that voice must be even louder for women.”
He thanked the Nigerian government for its “legendary hospitality” and restated the Parliament’s commitment to prioritising gender equality in its legislative agenda.
Representing the Minister of Women Affairs,
the Director General of Mariam Babangida Centre, Dr. Asabe Vilita Bashir said Nigeria has made significant strides, citing the Beijing Declaration and more recent reforms, but acknowledged that progress remains slow.
“We started this journey 30 years ago, and today we are seeing success stories,” she said. “We now have female presidents, chief ministers and leaders across national and international platforms. Even though progress is slow, it is real.”
She emphasized the importance of the proposed Special Seats for Women in Nigeria’s elective offices, describing it as essential to strengthening the political empowerment of women.
“The significance of this push is in formalizing women’s voices in governance,” she added. “It guarantees stronger advocacy for social justice and cohesion.”
The event attracted a broad range of stakeholders including the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, National Council of Women’s Societies, development partners such as UN Women, former ECOWAS Vice Presidents Finda Koroma and Halima Ahmed, and members of national parliaments from across the sub-region.
Former Liberian Vice President Howard-Taylor urged women not to relent.
“Your presence is a strong sign of support and a source of encouragement,” she said. “Women must continue to open doors for other women.”
Speakers consistently underscored that inclusive governance is indispensable to West Africa’s development and peace.
“Acting for parity is not optional,” Sesay emphasized. “It is the key to unlocking the region’s full potential.”
