Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has called for greater female representation in government, backing the push for 35 percent affirmative action for women in the legislature.
Her statement comes amid allegations of sexual harassment levelled against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, recently accused Akpabio of making inappropriate advances toward her. She claimed that after rejecting his alleged advances, her legislative motions, especially those concerning the Ajaokuta Steel Company, were repeatedly ignored.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday at the Exhibition on Art for Governance held at the National Assembly Library, Mrs Tinubu emphasized the importance of gender inclusion in governance. She stated that women play a crucial role in national progress, yet their representation in decision-making positions remains low. She stressed that affirmative action is necessary to correct this imbalance and ensure women have a stronger voice in shaping policies and driving development.
Tinubu urged lawmakers to expedite the passage of a bill mandating that at least 35 percent of seats in both legislative and executive arms of government be occupied by women. She highlighted her long-standing commitment to gender inclusion, saying that throughout her career—as the wife of a state governor, as a senator, and now as First Lady—she has consistently supported efforts to empower women and increase their participation in governance.
“This has been my mission during my time as the wife of the governor of Lagos State, as a senator, and now as the first lady. I firmly believe in the importance of women’s voices in governance.
“I urge my former colleagues, civil society organisations, and the public to embrace the message of this exhibition and collaborate to ensure that women’s voices are heard,” she said.