Stakeholders Push for Greater Role of Women in Nigeria’s Governance and Security

Stakeholders Push for Greater Role of Women in Nigeria’s Governance and Security

Content:

Calls for stronger participation of women in governance and national security have gained fresh attention after stakeholders at a national summit in Abuja urged the government to take practical steps beyond policy statements.

Participants at the 2026 Inclusion and National Security Summit argued that women remain underrepresented in key decision-making positions despite making up nearly half of Nigeria’s population. They said greater inclusion is necessary for more balanced and effective governance, particularly in areas related to peacebuilding and conflict prevention.

Many speakers noted that women often play important roles at the community level — in education, healthcare, family welfare and local economic activities. Because of this, they possess valuable insights into how insecurity affects everyday life. Involving more women in security policy, they argued, could help shift the focus beyond purely military responses.

Nigeria continues to face multiple security challenges, including terrorism, kidnapping, communal violence and criminal activity. Experts at the summit emphasised that these problems cannot be solved by security agencies alone. Poverty, unemployment and social exclusion also contribute to instability, making a broader approach necessary.

Women’s groups and civil society organisations have long been involved in peacebuilding efforts in conflict-affected communities. They often help identify early signs of tension, support displaced families and promote dialogue. Stakeholders said these contributions should be better recognised and integrated into formal decision-making structures.

However, participants also acknowledged that increasing women’s representation requires more than appointments. Barriers such as limited access to political party structures, campaign financing and networks still restrict many women from competing effectively for elected and appointed positions.

City Pulse News Analysis:

The call for greater inclusion of women is not new, but the real test lies in implementation. Without concrete measures such as leadership training, improved access to political opportunities and genuine authority in decision-making roles, the discussions risk remaining symbolic rather than transformative.

City Pulse News will continue to follow developments on gender inclusion, governance and national security in Nigeria.