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By Adewale Sanyaolu
The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has joined the global community in celebrating women, while calling for greater inclusion of women in political leadership and governance as the world marks the 2026 International Women’s Day.
In a statement, the Cap’n of the National Association of Seadogs, Dr. Joseph Oteri, said the occasion offers an opportunity not only to celebrate the resilience, achievements and invaluable contributions of women to society, but also to reflect on the persistent barriers that continue to limit their participation in leadership.
Oteri noted that although women play a critical role in sustaining families, driving community development and contributing to national progress, their representation in Nigeria’s political leadership remains alarmingly low.
He said International Women’s Day should serve as both a celebration of women’s accomplishments and a reminder that the quest for gender equality was far from complete.
“Nigerian women contribute immensely to our nation’s development, yet their representation in political leadership remains disproportionately low,” he said.
According to the association, available statistics from Nigeria’s current political landscape highlight the extent of the challenge. Following the 2023 general elections, women occupy only three of the 109 seats in the Senate and 17 of the 360 seats in the House of Representatives, representing about 4.2 per cent of the total membership of the National Assembly.
The organisation said the figures place Nigeria among countries with the lowest female representation in parliament globally, despite women accounting for nearly half of the country’s population and playing active roles in civic and democratic processes.
Oteri further observed that global statistics paint a different picture, noting that the average level of women’s representation in national parliaments stands at over 26 per cent, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, with several African countries making significant progress in promoting gender-inclusive governance.
He attributed Nigeria’s poor performance largely to a combination of structural and cultural barriers that continue to discourage women from seeking elective positions.
According to him, high nomination fees imposed by political parties, entrenched gender biases within the political space, electoral violence and weak institutional support remain major obstacles limiting women’s participation in political leadership.
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Oteri pointed to Rwanda as a notable example on the African continent where deliberate reforms and strong political commitment have significantly improved women’s representation in governance, with women currently occupying more than 60 per cent of seats in the country’s national legislature.
He emphasised that inclusive governance strengthens democratic institutions and leads to more balanced policy outcomes.
“Societies that promote women’s participation in leadership benefit from broader perspectives in decision-making, stronger democratic legitimacy and improved social policies that reflect the needs of all citizens,” he said.
The NAS Cap’n therefore urged Nigerian political parties to reform internal processes that discourage female aspirants, particularly excessive nomination fees and opaque candidate selection procedures.
He also called on lawmakers to revisit policy proposals that encourage affirmative action and provide stronger institutional support mechanisms for women seeking elective office.
“Democracy cannot reach its full potential when half of the population remains largely excluded from spaces where critical national decisions are made. Nigerian women must not remain only voters in the democratic process; they must be fully represented as leaders, lawmakers and architects of national policy,” Oteri stressed.
The association also urged electoral institutions and security agencies to ensure that the political environment remains safe and accessible for women, who often face intimidation and violence during election cycles.
Oteri maintained that empowering women to participate fully in political leadership is not merely an issue of fairness but a democratic necessity for Nigeria’s development.
“As Nigeria navigates complex social and economic challenges, empowering women to participate fully in governance is essential for building a stronger and more inclusive nation,” he said.
The organisation therefore called on government institutions, political parties, civil society groups and citizens to work collectively toward building a political system that reflects the strength, talent and aspirations of all Nigerians.
