Nigerian women have been urged to unite and leverage their collective voting strength to influence the outcome of the 2027 general elections and demand greater representation in political leadership.
The call was made on Tuesday in Abuja by the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development and the National President of the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV), Hon. Irene Awunah-Ikyegh, at the public presentation of Rising Beyond Borders, authored by the Founder and Chairman, Board of Trustees of NILOWV, Rt. Hon. Dame Esther Uduehi, PhD. to mark the organisations 30th anniversary.
The event, held at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), also marked the commencement of NILOWV’s 30th anniversary celebrations.
The minister, in her address, said the mobilisation of women must go beyond numbers to building informed and purposeful participation in the democratic process.
She said the proposed 10 Million women platform could provide a structure for connecting women across Nigeria, enabling them to articulate their priorities, understand public policy and participate responsibly in democratic processes.
As the country approaches the 2027 elections, the minister said the slogan, “One Voice. One Movement. One Choice,” should represent unity of purpose among women across ethnic, religious, regional and socioeconomic divides.
She urged women to make electoral choices based on issues, values, programmes and the future they desire for the country, while encouraging young women and girls to acquire knowledge, develop their skills, find their voices and participate in leadership.
“Ten million women are not merely a statistic. They represent mothers, daughters, entrepreneurs, farmers, professionals, artisans, students, traders, community leaders and caregivers spread across Nigeria,” she said.
The minister also linked political participation with economic empowerment, noting that women who are economically secure and knowledgeable about their rights are better positioned to make independent choices and demand accountability.
She congratulated Uduehi for documenting her journey, describing Rising Beyond Borders as more than a biography but a reflection on possibility, participation and the responsibility of one generation to create opportunities for the next.
Also speaking, NILOWV National President, Hon. Irene Awunah-Ikyegh, said the book was being presented at a critical period in Nigeria’s struggle for greater inclusion of women in political decision-making.
She said women continued to face cultural, economic and institutional barriers to leadership and urged them not to relent in demanding greater political space.
According to her, women should mobilise their votes behind credible female candidates contesting various elective positions in 2027.
“Let us put together our votes as women. Vote in bloc and demand for accountability,” she said, stressing that unity and consultation would strengthen women’s bargaining power in securing policies that respond to their needs.
Awunah-Ikyegh further urged women to support candidates capable of making an impact and creating opportunities for more women to enter political leadership.
She said NILOWV’s 30-year journey had demonstrated the importance of organising, voter mobilisation, civic education, leadership development and collective action in advancing women’s participation in democracy.
Earlier, Uduehi said the central message of Rising Beyond Borders was that there should be no limit to what a determined woman can achieve.
“There’s never a limit to where you can go in life. You have to be determined. And if you are determined, let nothing stop you,” she said.
She, however, emphasised that crossing personal and institutional barriers should not be an individual journey, urging women who succeed to carry others along.
On women’s political participation, Uduehi acknowledged that Nigerian women had yet to attain the level of representation they deserved, but expressed optimism that growing awareness would eventually translate into greater participation.
She encouraged women contesting the 2027 elections to support credible female candidates who could make a difference and help create space for more women.
In his remarks, the Director-General of NILDS commended NILOWV for its longstanding commitment to civic engagement, advocacy and women’s participation in democratic processes.
He said women seeking public office needed to understand electoral processes and that democratic participation extended beyond holding elective positions to responsible voting, engagement with public institutions, public debate, accountability and community service.
The NILDS Director-General also called for stronger collaboration among legislative institutions, civil society organisations, academia, the media, private sector, development partners and citizens to advance inclusive democratic governance.
He commended Uduehi for establishing an organisation dedicated to advancing women’s participation and civic engagement, describing the book as an opportunity to inspire and mentor younger women aspiring to public leadership.
The event also featured calls for Rising Beyond Borders to be adopted by universities and relevant academic departments as a resource for teaching and research on women’s leadership, political participation, democracy and social transformation.
The NILOWV president said the book should find its way into libraries, training centres, mentorship programmes and homes, particularly among young women and aspiring female politicians.
She said the 30th anniversary offered an opportunity to reflect on the organisation’s journey while preparing the next generation of women to contest elections, negotiate political power and contribute meaningfully to governance.
The presentation brought together government officials, legislators, women leaders, civil society organisations, development practitioners, academics and other stakeholders in the women’s movement.
