In what has been viewed as an emerging cultural shift, a coalition of prominent Northern women has expressed deep disappointment at President Bola Tinubu’s recent appointment of an all-male Governing Board of the North West Development Commission (NWDC).
The announcement on September 28 of an all-male board by the president triggered rare outrage among northern women who accused the president of gender exclusion and neglect of women’s contributions in regional development, despite protestations to the contrary.
The statement, signed by leading figures such as Asma’u Joda, Saudatu Mahdi, Maryam Uwais, Aisha Oyebode, Amina Salihu, Mairo Mandara, Qadriyya Ahmed, Fatima Akilu, Rabi Jimeta and Habiba Mohammed condemned the lack of female representation describing it as “a disheartening slap in the face of Northern women.”
They emphasised that this decision contradicts Nigeria’s National Gender Policy, which mandates at least 35% representation for women in government positions.
“Not a single female name appears among the nominees forwarded to the Senate for confirmation,” the statement read. “This goes against all principles of justice, equity, and the President’s own commitments to gender inclusion.”
They noted that the absence of women from the NWDC Board is particularly striking given Northern Nigeria’s rich history of female leaders who have championed socio-economic progress.
The coalition highlighted that women have been instrumental to initiatives addressing education, health, and gender-based violence.
“Their glaring absence from the NWDC Board is profoundly telling and troubling,” they stated.
According to them, “In every sphere of competence, across finance and accounts, public administration, the judiciary, good governance, health, education, data analysis, business, technology, advocacy, and peacebuilding, you find women excelling by applying themselves in diverse fields. Their glaring absence from the NWDC Board is profoundly telling and troubling.”
The women added that statistics regarding socio-economic challenges in the North West are alarming, arguing that the blatant disregard of the female voice also speaks volumes about the mindset of those who are in charge of the nomination process.
“Indeed, it probably conveys why, in fact, the North West region is lagging furthest behind on so many human capital indices. The statistics are alarming, to say the least. The mulit-dimensional poverty ratings in those 7 States range from 72% to 90%. Four of those 7 States have more children out of formal school, than in school. The vast majority of those States have less than 20% girl-child literacy rates. Citizens with insufficient food consumption in those States hover between 72% and 80%. What could be more telling?”
The women criticised what they termed a “blatant disregard” for women’s voices in governance, further arguing that excluding women from pivotal decision-making roles reflects a belief that their contributions are inconsequential to solving pressing societal issues.
“This glaring omission is an opportunity lost for all. And the region can only be the worse for it,” they asserted, adding: “The decision to exclude women from pivotal decision-making roles suggests a conviction in high places that the contributions and perspectives of women are inconsequential to solving these pressing problems. This glaring omission is an opportunity lost for all. And the region can only be the worse for it.
“When will our leaders recognize that addressing these deep-rooted societal issues requires inclusive, diverse perspectives? While it is true that a handful of women may have already been tried and tested in the past, thousands of others do exist, that have the capacity and competencies to record huge successes in achieving the sustainable development goals in a timely manner. Our upcoming, exceptional and passionate Northern women, excelling in every field imaginable, must be involved in efforts at positively transforming the region. The exclusion of our young women from such critical governance roles speaks not only to a deplorable, inexcusable failure at harnessing their energy, brilliance and potential, it also undermines the very real possibilities for swift, holistic and sustainable development.”
The coalition argued that true development through the NWDC can only be achieved with inclusive representation.
“The promise of development through the NWDC can only be fulfilled if it embodies true representation and inclusivity. If we are to effectively confront the myriad of socio-economic challenges in the North, it is essential to harness the expertise and insights of all members of our society, and for peacebuilding, particularly women who command respect within the communities. Who possess innate negotiating skills, compassion and grassroots experience to achieve scale, impact, and sustainability.
“But is anyone listening? Do we truly yearn for development, stability and peace, or is this North West Development Commission merely a statement about political ambitions, and procurement? Well, as the Hausa proverb implies: ‘the Friday that heralds hope could be discerned from the Wednesday before,’” they said.
“The promise of development through the NWDC can only be fulfilled if it embodies true representation and inclusivity. If we are to effectively confront the myriad of socio-economic challenges in the North, it is essential to harness the expertise and insights of all members of our society, and for peacebuilding, particularly women who command respect within the communities. Who possess innate negotiating skills, compassion and grassroots experience to achieve scale, impact, and sustainability.
“But is anyone listening? Do we truly yearn for development, stability and peace, or is this North West Development Commission merely a statement about political ambitions, and procurement? Well, as the Hausa proverb implies: ‘the Friday that heralds hope could be discerned from the Wednesday before,’” they surmised.
