By Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye

The nineth edition of the Voice of Women Conference & Awards (VOW2025), held on October 2, 2025, at the Nigerian Air Force Conference Centre, Abuja, marked another defining moment in Nigeria’s journey toward women’s empowerment and political inclusion. With the stirring theme, “Nigerian Women and the Power of Collective Action,” it brought together grassroots women, political leaders, international dignitaries, advocates, and allies to reflect on resilience and solidarity while fiercely championing gender equality in governance.

President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, reaffirmed his administration’s unyielding commitment to women’s empowerment at a pivotal moment coinciding with Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary. The President saluted Nigerian women as the “ever supportive and resilient backbone of the nation” and emphasized their roles as “protectors of families, drivers of innovation, and catalysts of the one trillion-dollar economy we are building together.” His voice resounded: “The story of our nation is incomplete without the strength of her women.” He passionately underscored the conference theme: “Women’s voices are the heartbeat of our country; echoing, undaunted, unyielding, and rising to shape a future of equity and progress under the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Vice President Kashim Shettima echoed Tinubu’s vision, acknowledging Nigerian women as the “backbone of our nation’s resilience and the vanguard of its future.” He stressed the administration’s resolve to unlock women’s full potential as family builders, enterprise leaders, and key drivers in Nigeria’s economic and national renewal.

At the heart of the conference was the determination to dismantle the structural barriers limiting women’s political representation in Nigeria, where women occupy less than 6% of National Assembly seats—far below the AU target of 50%. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbass, was represented at the event by Kafilat Ogbara, Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs.

He delivered a message filled with hope and urgency, asserting: “The issue of women’s underrepresentation will soon be the tale of the past.” Highlighting the Reserved Seats for Women Bill he actively sponsors, Abbass explained through Ogbara: “This bill proposes 37 additional seats for women in both the Senate and House of Representatives, plus three from each senatorial district in state assemblies, significantly bolstering women’s presence.” The representative emphasised the rare political climate: “We have a president that is gender sensitive… there’s no better time than now.”

Abbass, through Ogbara, inspired collective action as the cornerstone to breaking down systemic oppression, saying: “When women come together, we amplify our voices, share our experiences, and create a formidable force for positive change.” He called for mentorship programs, grassroots movements, and collaborations to cultivate a future where Nigerian women thrive, their rights upheld and potentials realized.

In her keynote address in her ministerial capacity, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim emphasized the power and resilience of Nigerian women, stressing that true gender equality cannot be achieved in isolation. She highlighted that women currently occupy less than 6% of the National Assembly seats, far below the African Union target of 50% parity and the global average of 26.5%. The minister described the Reserved Seats Bill not as an act of benevolence but a constitutional, strategic necessity that would institutionalize women’s participation in governance. She applauded the Renewed Hope Agenda for prioritising women’s empowerment and social development, noting government initiatives such as the Nigeria for Women Programme (NFWP) Scale-Up which has directly reached over 500,000 women across six states and mobilized more than ₦4 billion in savings through Women Affinity Groups. Sulaiman-Ibrahim praised the legislative leadership and the 10th National Assembly for their support of the Reserved Seats Bill, affirming that “the passage of the bill is a crucial step towards promoting gender balance and inclusive governance in Nigeria.” She expressed faith that the bill’s enactment would inspire future generations and cement the legacies of this administration and the 10th Assembly as champions of women’s rights.

In a notable announcement, the minister committed to supporting Women Radio’s initiative to train 10 female journalists, enhancing women’s voice in media and ensuring broader visibility and representation. This move underscores the government’s commitment not only to political empowerment but also to amplifying women’s narratives across platforms.

Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, shared an inspiring testimony of persistence against cultural norms and political opposition, describing her journey from a traditional upbringing restricting female interactions with boys to becoming a four-term elected representative. Her candid reflections detailed battles against anti-party sabotage and skepticism. At the conference, Onyejeocha’s senior political adviser spoke firmly against anti-party activities, admonishing women against belonging to one political party while covertly supporting female candidates in rival parties. The adviser emphasized that such actions could result in sanctions or party expulsions, undermining collective progress. Instead, he urged women to consolidate their support within their party structures: “The solution is to let all the women that will contest struggle in parties that have name (prominent) and let NGOs support these women and start from political parties. In that way, you have enough women in all parties to contest and stand for election.” Onyejeocha’s message was clear: “The time is now for Nigerian women… let us champion reforms for structured support beyond tokenism.”

Setting the tone for the conference, founder of the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, opened with a somber tribute, observing a moment of silence for female leaders recently lost under tragic circumstances, including the five female elected council officials in Lagos State whose untimely deaths cast a shadow over women’s leadership. solemnly recounted their names and roles: Oluwakemi Rufai (Councillor, Ward C, Ibeju-Lekki), who died 17 days after inauguration; Zainab Shotayo (Councillor and Chief Whip, Ward C3, Odiolowo-Ojuwoye LCDA), who passed 22 days after inauguration; Princess Oluremi Nutayi Ajose (Vice Chairperson, Badagry West LCDA), Basirat Oluwakemi Mayabikan (Councillor, Ward F, Shomolu), and Khadijat Adebimpe Akintola (Council Manager, Coker Aguda LCDA), all tragically lost within two months of assuming office.

Akiyode-Afolabi warned: “There is a danger of death in women’s leadership in Nigeria… each death is not only the loss of a mother, sister, or daughter but the loss of vision, courage, and possibility.” She implored stakeholders for accountability and stronger health and security support to ensure women’s leadership isn’t a path of peril.

Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye-Oladapo, brought a grassroots perspective to the conference, calling for concrete actions that translate policy into community impact. She stressed the importance of engaging women at all levels, especially in local governance, to ensure that empowerment initiatives touch lives directly. Adeleye-Oladapo emphasised “the need for government and civil society to work hand in hand to dismantle social and economic barriers hindering women’s participation in governance.”

Director of the MacArthur Foundation in Nigeria, Kole Shetima, celebrated the partnership role of the foundation in empowering women through initiatives like VOW. He praised the effective mobilization of women across Nigeria and beyond, stating: “When women are effectively mobilised, democracy is strengthened.” He encouraged continued advocacy and support for the Reserved Seats Bill and other gender balance efforts, emphasizing the foundation’s commitment to shaping inclusive policies and sustainable development.

The CEO of TOS Group, Osasu Igbinedion Ogwuche, made a passionate advocacy for women’s leadership, reflecting on the transformational power of storytelling and advocacy. She described how her multifaceted work across media, policy, and philanthropy aims “to create a space where women lead boldly and young people dream without limits.”

Ogwuche emphasized that gender quotas are essential corrective measures to address deep-rooted structural barriers, asserting that “courage and political will are now the drivers for change.” She championed the Reserved Seats Bill as a vehicle for unleashing Nigeria’s untapped talent and future prosperity through women’s increased participation.

She highlighted the bill’s momentum, declaring: “This bill is no longer a women’s issue, it’s a nation-building imperative. Nigerian women make up 50% of the population but only 4% of the National Parliament. When women get involved in governance, we see stronger institutions, economies, healthcare, and education. We cannot afford to leave half the nation’s bright minds behind.”

Secretary General of the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), Saudatu Mahdi, highlighted the necessity of bridging the divide between elite and grassroots women, urging that “collective action must recognize and negotiate contextual differences rather than dismantle them.” She called attention to the pivotal role local governance plays in women’s political empowerment and urged community leaders to open civic space for effective advocacy and participation, noting that “progress at the grassroots level determines the success of national reforms.”

Ene Edeh, a gender advocate and Founding Executive Director of Equity Advocate, urged the conference to move beyond talk to tangible action. She highlighted the trauma and challenges of managing media focused on women’s issues but stressed the power of social capital and voice to generate change. “If you don’t have money, you have social capital. If you don’t have social capital, you have your voice. If you don’t have your voice, you have your presence,” Edeh said, urging women to support women-driven media platforms like Women Radio to ensure their stories and struggles are heard and not pushed “under the carpet.”

Olowu of Owu Kingdom,  Oba Saka Matemilola, who was represented, highlighted the immense power and historic influence of women’s collective action. He noted, “What happens when a woman organises? The world changes. Economies grow. Nations rise.” He recounted examples—from Liberia’s Women of Peace movement to Nigeria’s Market Women Associations—where organized women shifted governance, trade, and health outcomes with little formal recognition despite critical impact. Oba Matemilola emphasise that ignoring women’s collective strength “is not just unjust, it is inefficient.” He called for dismantling systemic barriers that hinder women’s full participation, stressing that “unity among women is both inspiration and institution, grounded in strategic evidence from history and across the globe.”

International solidarity sparked one of the event’s most stirring moments. Former Deputy President of South Africa and UN Women Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, shared wisdom gleaned from decades of leadership and activism. She urged African women to pursue leadership boldly while embracing men as crucial allies in this collective struggle for equality. “We have fought men for so long that sometimes we treat men like enemies, which would be a big mistake,” she said emphatically. She explained that male allies bring power and access to the inner circles where decisions get shaped. “Men with power and authority can say things and make them happen,” she noted, urging strategic alliances: “It was important to be sponsored by men because they were already with the in-crowd.”

Mlambo-Ngcuka condemned the pernicious double standards women face: “Men make errors and get away with it; the moment a woman makes a little mistake, the media and everyone condemns her.” Yet, she inspired hope, “We will not be perfect, but we have to do our best… Leadership means showing up where the people are, listening, and delivering real solutions.”

Her call for gender balance in politics was urgent: “At the current pace, it could take over 100 years to achieve gender equality. That is just not acceptable.” She voiced strong support for Nigeria’s Reserved Seats Bill as “a decisive step to ensure women have a permanent seat at the decision-making table.” Closing on a fiery note, she declared, “There is a special place in hell for women who don’t support fellow women.” Her words echoed loudly: unity is indispensable.

British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever, conveyed the UK’s solidarity in the struggle for women’s political empowerment. She praised VOW’s role as “a movement, a beacon of hope and catalyst for change,” commending the massive grassroots mobilisation seen at recent constitutional reform hearings. Lever urged Nigerians to “rise together—to act collectively, courageously, and consistently,” reminding attendees that “women are the biggest minority group” and must exercise their vote as an unstoppable force.

Convener of the Voice of Women Conference and Awards,Toun Okewale Sonaiya, earnestly appealed to President Tinubu and the National Assembly leadership to expedite the passage of the Special Seats Bill, underscoring its critical importance for gender equality and inclusive governance.

She stressed that this moment presents a historic opportunity for President Tinubu and the 10th National Assembly to be remembered as champions of women’s rights by ensuring the Reserved Seats Bill becomes law.

“Your leadership is needed to turn promises into policy and back words with action. The passage of the bill is a crucial step towards promoting gender balance and inclusive governance in Nigeria,” Sonaiya declared.

Highlighting the persistent challenges grassroots women face, Sonaiya observed, “Despite constituting the largest voting bloc, grassroots women continue to have their political choices largely shaped by men.” She urged women from all political, ethnic, and economic backgrounds to unite in stronger collective efforts to achieve equity.

Sonaiya called on grassroots women to actively support women in politics through collective action, stressing, “Your collective votes can move us from passive participants to becoming a decisive force in governance. To be an urban and elite woman, you must be deliberate in bridging the gap.”

The nineth VOW Conference made clear that Nigerian women’s collective voice is irrepressible, demanding structural change now. From fiery speeches to heartfelt tributes, the event spotlighted the realities faced by women leaders, the strategic alliances needed with men, and grassroots power ready to be harnessed. As the conference closed with calls for legislative action, mentorship, and solidarity, it left the nation with an unshakable truth: collective action will shape the future—where Nigerian women lead boldly, together.

The conference also featured enriching fireside chat discussions that broadened perspectives on leadership, legacy, and the power of alliances. These candid dialogues deepened the understanding of gender dynamics in governance, mentorship, and societal transformation, and reinforced the conference theme about the profound impact of collective action.

In this moment filtered through history and persistence, the powerhouse of Nigerian women gathers strength—an unstoppable force committed to closing gaps, shattering ceilings, and leading Nigeria into a future they will unapologetically define. The VOW2025 confab was not just a conference; it was a movement for generations to come.

The post Sisterhood support: Conference ignites Nigeria’s women to power collective change appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.