Follow Us on Google
From Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan
Top Nigerian political leaders, lawmakers, diplomats and development partners on Friday renewed calls for urgent reforms aimed at increasing women’s participation in politics and governance during the graduation ceremony of the maiden cohort of the HerCademy Leadership Institute in Abuja.
The programme, an initiative of TOS Foundation Africa, was held at the National Assembly Library on May 15, 2026, bringing together members of the Executive and Legislative arms of government, civil society groups and members of the diplomatic community.
Speakers at the event expressed concern over the low representation of women in leadership and decision-making positions, insisting that Nigeria’s democratic and developmental aspirations could not be fully achieved without inclusive governance.
The HerCademy Leadership Institute was established to equip emerging female leaders with political, legislative and governance skills through a six-week mentorship and policy leadership programme. The initiative exposed participants to legislative simulations, policy analysis, mentorship sessions and internships within the National Assembly.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Minister of Education described the initiative as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future and commended efforts targeted at grooming transformational female leaders.
According to the President’s message, institutions such as HerCademy play a critical role in promoting innovation, leadership and problem-solving among young Nigerians. The Federal Government also reaffirmed its commitment to women’s empowerment under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s parliament as a “democratic emergency.”
Represented by Senator Ireti Kingibe, Akpabio lamented that women currently occupy only 3.67 per cent of seats in the 10th National Assembly.
“When 50 per cent of the population is sidelined, the nation operates at half capacity,” he stated, stressing that women contribute valuable perspectives to healthcare, education, security and economic stability.
Other News
The Senate President also pledged continued support for the proposed Reserved Seats for Women Bill aimed at creating constitutional mechanisms to improve female representation in legislative institutions.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who delivered the keynote address, described the HerCademy initiative as a practical response to Nigeria’s widening gender gap in politics.
Kalu said empowering women through legislative exposure, political mentorship and leadership training remained essential to building an inclusive democracy. He noted that the Reserved Seats Bill he is sponsoring was designed to strengthen democratic participation by ensuring women are adequately represented in governance structures.
He also praised the Embassy of Switzerland in Nigeria and TOS Foundation Africa for supporting what he described as a “pipeline for grooming informed and capable female leaders.”
Switzerland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Patrick Egloff, said countries could not attain their full potential while systemic barriers continued to prevent women from occupying leadership positions.
Drawing from Switzerland’s experience, Egloff said deliberate policies on mentorship, recruitment and inclusion had helped improve female representation in parliament and diplomacy to nearly 40 per cent.
“Our partnership with TOS Foundation on the HerCademy Leadership Institute is a deliberate investment in the people who will carry these values into Nigeria’s governance structures in the years ahead,” he said.
Also speaking, Fatima Tajudeen Abbas urged young women to embrace purposeful leadership and civic participation, stressing that women and youths must not remain on the sidelines of national decision-making.
Founder of TOS Foundation Africa, Osasu Igbinedion Ogwuche described the graduation ceremony as a celebration of courage, growth and purpose.
She said the fellows were leaving the programme with greater confidence and conviction to occupy leadership spaces and influence policy decisions across Nigeria.
