From the Aba Women’s Protest of 1929 to the Egba Women’s Revolt of the 1940s, and the coalitions that stood firm during Nigeria’s return to democracy in the 1990s, Nigerian women have always risen in moments of challenge to shape the destiny of our nation. Today, as we gather for the Voice of Women Conference & Awards (VOW2025), we are once again reminded of the power of collective action and the unyielding spirit of Nigerian women.
It is with profound honour and appreciation that I stand before you at this landmark convening. I commend the Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation and Women Radio 91.7 for their vision and consistency in sustaining this foremost national platform that amplifies women’s voices, galvanizes stakeholders, and inspires transformative action across Nigeria.
This year’s theme, “Nigerian Women & The Power of Collective Action”, could not have come at a better time. It reminds us that true gender equality cannot be achieved in isolation; it requires the deliberate, united efforts of government, civil society, development partners, the private sector, and the media. Above all, it requires women themselves rising together with shared purpose to secure the future of our nation. This call for Reserved Seats also resonates globally. Nigeria joined the rest of the world at the United Nations General Assembly, commemorating 30 years of the Beijing Platform for Action and 25 years of UNSCR 1325, reaffirming our commitment to advancing these frameworks. These milestones show that empowering women in governance is not just a national obligation but a global responsibility.
The power of Nigerian women’s collective action has been repeatedly demonstrated throughout history. The Aba Women’s Protest shook the foundations of colonial administration. The Egba Women’s Tax Revolt, led by Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, resisted oppressive taxation and mobilized national consciousness. The Women in Nigeria (WIN) collective in the 1980s gave women an organized voice in policy and academic discourse. Women’s organizations also stood at the forefront of Nigeria’s return to democracy in the 1990s. These legacies remind us that when women stand together, they bend the arc of history toward justice, equity, and progress.
Yet, despite these contributions, women remain grossly underrepresented in governance. They occupy less than six percent of seats in the National Assembly—far below the African Union target of fifty percent parity and beneath the global average. Women’s representation in State Assemblies is even lower. By contrast, countries like Rwanda and South Africa have achieved significantly higher female representation. These figures highlight just how far Nigeria lags and why decisive action is urgently needed.
The call for Reserved Seats is not alien to Nigeria. The very existence of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development is an outcome of the Beijing Platform for Action, which called for national mechanisms to advance women. Just as UNSCR 1325 opened a new chapter in global peace and security by recognizing the role of women, our Reserved Seats Bill has the potential to open a new chapter in political inclusivity. By institutionalizing women’s participation, we align with international best practices and strengthen democracy at home.
The Reserved Seats Bill is therefore not an act of benevolence but one of justice and strategic necessity. Guaranteeing space for women in governance ensures a more inclusive democracy and unlocks the full potential of half of Nigeria’s population.
I must commend the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which has placed women, children, families, and vulnerable groups at the centre of national development. This vision recognizes that no nation can rise above the status of its women and families. By prioritizing social investment, care economy reforms, and women’s empowerment, the Renewed Hope Agenda affirms that Nigeria’s development must be inclusive, just, and people-centred. This commitment has found practical expression in the Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention Programmes of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, designed to expand opportunities for women, strengthen families, and safeguard the most vulnerable.
Alongside this Bill, we must remain focused on economically empowering women. For women to effectively shape political spaces, they must also contribute meaningfully to the vision of a trillion-dollar economy. The power of women’s collectives is already evident in the Nigeria for Women Programme (NFWP) Scale-Up, which has reached hundreds of thousands of women across several states, mobilizing billions of naira in savings through Women Affinity Groups. These groups have enabled women to expand businesses, access finance, and improve livelihoods. This is proof that collective action is not only a political tool but also an economic force capable of transforming Nigeria’s future.
I also commend the leadership of the 10th National Assembly—the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Deputy Speaker—who have all supported the Reserved Seats Bill without reservation. Their determination to back this cause demonstrates political courage and statesmanship. It signals to Nigerian women that their voices matter and to the world that Nigeria is ready to align with the global movement for inclusive governance. Indeed, their support represents a continental and global statement that democracy without women is incomplete.
We must also celebrate the progress already achieved through collective action. The Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, the domestication of the Child Rights Act across the country, the National Women Economic Empowerment Policy, the National Gender Policy, and the development of the third-generation National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 were all secured through the power of coalitions, networks, and advocacy. These victories prove that when women act together, supported by men of conscience, change is both possible and inevitable.
Like the Aba women who rose against injustice, like Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti who led with fearless resolve, and like countless others whose names history may not recall, we too must rise—rise to break ceilings, open doors, build a Nigeria where no dream is too high and no woman is left behind. This is our charge. This is our moment. This is our clarion call. Together, we will make history.
As part of my commitment, I will be supporting Women Radio with the training of female journalists.
God bless Nigerian women and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
At this time, I have the singular honour to present the message of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, who proudly aligns with the uplifting message of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to this edition of the Voice of Women Conference. The theme, “Nigerian Women and the Power of Collective Action”, is both timely and timeless, reminding us that women are the backbone of our nation’s resilience and the vanguard of its future. Under the steadfast leadership of Mr. President, we remain committed to unlocking the full potential of Nigerian women as builders of families, leaders of enterprise, and key drivers of our trillion-dollar economy and national renewal.
In the same vein, I present the message of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Addressing Nigerian women, he saluted the conference, held at the dawn of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, as a reminder that the nation’s story is incomplete without the strength of its women. Guided by this year’s theme, he affirmed that women’s voices remain the heartbeat of the country—undaunted, unyielding, and shaping a future of equity and progress under the Renewed Hope Agenda. He pledged his administration’s commitment to empowering women as protectors of families, drivers of innovation, and catalysts of the trillion-dollar economy being built.
May this conference echo as a song of unity, pride, and enduring hope for a more inclusive and prosperous Nigeria.
ADEOLA KUNLE
