The Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele has said that women in politics is not a zero-sum game, meaning that men must willy-nilly support the ambitions of female counterparts, hence, the need to build alliances across gender lines, as politics shouldn’t be a battle of masculinity but rather a partnership aimed at a better society – whether that of a State or the country at large.
Delivering a keynote address on Friday – earlier today, February 28 – at the Nigerian Women Leadership and Empowerment Conference 2025, tagged “Women Inclusion in politics: Challenges, Prospects and the Way Forward,” and organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with Nigerian Women International Magazine, which was held at the NAF Conference Center, Abuja, Salako-Oyedele said one of the biggest misconceptions about women’s political participation is that it threatens male dominance, as if leadership were a finite resource, noting that countries with higher female representation in parliament such as Iceland and Rwanda tends to have stronger social policies, lower corruption levels, and more inclusive economic growth.
“If we truly want to build a Nigeria where opportunity is available to all, then we must see women in politics not as competitors or usurpers but as partners in progress. The truth is, politics is not a zero-sum game, increasing women’s representation does not mean taking power away from men; it only means that we create a more balanced and effective government,” she argued.
“If we truly want to have an inclusive democracy, we must address the challenges women face in politics to includes; structural barriers, where women are placed in parties with little chance of winning, lack of funds; as politics is expensive, cultural and social norms, where women are told to wait for their turn and electoral violence and intimidation,” she said
On the imperative of greater inclusion, Salako-Oyedele highlighted some key strategies such as pushing for affirmative action in major political parties; sustaining political engagement and not just be election time activists; making funding for women in politics beyond a one-off initiative; encouraging male allies in the advocacy movement and ensuring that women position themselves strategically for leadership.
She, however, stressed that women’s inclusion in politics is and should not just be about fairness, but effectiveness, as societies thrive when women have equal opportunities to lead.
In his remarks, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass, assured that the House would continue to exercise diligent oversight of government institutions to ensure adherence to the national gender policy, bolster the Women’s Caucus to champion gender specific issues effectively, and support electoral reforms that ensure a fixed quarter of female candidates.
The House would also enable both legislations to safeguard women in politics from violence and intimidation, thereby aligning their political framework with the constitution, principles of fairness and freedom, Abbas added.
Abbas also disclosed that he recently requested the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to include all its female members in the party’s national executive committee, the first of its kind in the history of the party.
Also speaking, the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Kafilat Adetola Ogbara, said the event was organised to discuss issues surrounding women leadership, breaking barrier and creating confidence for future generations while celebrating the strength, resilience and potential of women across Nigeria.
Takeaways from the event would also foster an environment where every woman can thrive, live and inspire, adding that plans are underway to unveil a national compendium of women in leadership positions in Nigeria with a view to chronicling their contributions across various sectors.
“Each one of us has a role to play in shaping the future of women leadership in Nigeria. Together we can advocate policies that promote gender equality, support initiatives that empower women and create an avenue where every woman’s voice is heard, valued and respected, as our voice is our power,” she Ogbara surmised.
