PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu’s recent cabinet reshuffle was a long-anticipated move by political observers, being the first he had embarked on since taking over the reigns of power in May 2023. The shake-up, which led to the re-assignment of 10 ministers and dismissal of six, as well as seven nominees that have been confirmed by the Senate, represented Tinubu’s attempt to re-energise his government but ended up as a setback for women affirmation in politics
Among the new appointees already sworn-in are notable women such as Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Jumoke Odu, Minister of Industry, and Suwaiba Ahmad, Minister of State for Education. Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda is the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, following the suspension of Betta Edu. Others include Maigari Dingyadi, Labour and Employment, Idi Maiha, Minister of Livestock Development, and Yusuf Ata, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development.
However, the limited representation of women in these appointments highlights a persisting challenge in Nigerian politics which borders on the underrepresentation of women in political offices across the country.
Quite surprisingly, this reshuffle has indeed reduced female representation in Tinubu’s cabinet, with only seven women which represents 15 percent, well below the 35 percent threshold Tinubu had pledged during his campaign. This outcome, while reflecting broader trends in Nigerian governance system, underscores the steep barriers to achieving gender parity within the nation’s political arena.
The challenge is not unique to Tinubu’s administration, however. Previous governments have similarly struggled to meet gender inclusion targets. Former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed only six women out of 42 ministers in his first term, a figure that rose to seven in his second term. Goodluck Jonathan’s government fared slightly better, with nine female ministers out of 36. Looking back to 1999, President Olusegun Obasanjo initially appointed just three women out of 28 ministers, although he later raised this to nine, reaching a record 30 percent female representation in his second term.
Despite these marginal gains, the persistent underrepresentation of women in governance is deeply rooted in cultural expectations, religious norms, and a historically patriarchal society. As of today, Nigeria currently ranks 139th out of 156 countries on the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Index, which underscores the significant gap in political participation and leadership opportunities available to women.
Globally, advocacy for gender parity and affirmative action has intensified, with African countries such as Sierra Leone leading by example through legislation like the Women’s Empowerment Act, which enforces quotas for female representation in leadership roles. Meanwhile, Nigeria, despite similar promises, lags in making meaningful strides. Although, the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu has urged female leaders within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to champion legislation that mandates minimum female representation in political roles, progress remains slow, as the gender gap persists.
This disparity is especially stark given Nigeria’s legacy of trailblazing female figures, such as Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO); Prof. Grace Alele-Williams, the country’s first female vice-chancellor; and Adaora Umeoji, the first female managing director of Zenith Bank. These women have shown demonstrable capacity of the Nigerian women and excelled across various sectors, breaking barriers and setting new standards. Yet, political appointments remain one of the few areas where gender equity is still a distant goal.
As Tinubu’s administration moves forward, there is a need for greater commitment to inclusivity and affirmative action. To create lasting change, Nigeria’s leaders must institute structural reforms that guarantee a minimum level of female representation in political and decision-making roles. Implementing legislations that support affirmative action as seen in Sierra Leone would ensure that gender parity becomes not just a goal but a constitutional mandate.
Furthermore, political parties should consider adopting internal quotas to ensure gender-balanced candidate lists, particularly for high-level roles. By actively recruiting and promoting qualified female leaders, parties can foster a more inclusive political landscape and ensure a pipeline of competent women ready to take on ministerial and cabinet roles.
Ultimately, Tinubu’s administration must be judged, not only on its ability to address Nigeria’s pressing economic and security issues, but also on its commitment to building a government that genuinely reflects the diversity and strength of its people. Now more than ever, Nigeria’s leaders must move beyond rhetoric to create a government that fully embraces the talents and voices of women, ensuring that equal representation becomes a reality.
