The United Nations in Nigeria, through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has convened editors and senior media executives in Abuja to drive dialogue on women’s political participation and leadership.
The high-level engagement, held at the UN House, forms part of the Africa Facility for Women in Political Leadership — an initiative designed to strengthen the ecosystem that supports women in politics and governance across the continent.
Speaking at the meeting, UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, stressed the urgency of boosting women’s representation in parliament as Nigeria marks the Beijing+30 anniversary and pursues constitutional reforms, including the Reserved Seats for Women’s Bill.
“Evidence is clear: countries with at least 30 percent women in parliament consistently perform better on governance, economic growth, and social cohesion. Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind,” she said.
Attafuah warned that excluding women from political decision-making, particularly as Nigeria’s population is projected to reach 400 million by 2050, poses serious risks to the country’s stability and progress. She added that women’s political inclusion is not just about fairness but also about securing Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
The dialogue highlighted the media’s critical role in shaping narratives and influencing public perception. Drawing on lessons from Rwanda and Uganda, Attafuah noted that positive storytelling about women in leadership has delivered not only political but also economic and social benefits.
She urged Nigerian media leaders to partner with the UN beyond legislative reforms and the 2027 elections to create a long-term pathway for women’s political leadership.
“Today is the beginning of a co-creation journey,” Attafuah said. “Together, we can institutionalize platforms for sustained dialogue, collaboration, and advocacy. The media has the power not only to report but to shape discourse and catalyze change.”
The UN reaffirmed its commitment to supporting inclusive governance reforms, advancing the Reserved Seats Bill, and helping Nigeria meet its obligations under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Beijing Platform for Action.
Media executives at the meeting welcomed the collaboration and agreed to work with the UN in amplifying women’s voices in politics, with a proposal to institutionalize regular engagements to track progress and shape national discourse on inclusive leadership.
