The Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, has declared her full support for the ongoing advocacy to amend the Nigerian Constitution to increase women’s representation in governance, describing it as “a shared national responsibility.”
She made this known during her keynote address at a town hall meeting on Advancing Women’s Inclusion and Representation in Leadership and Political Processes in Nigeria, organised by the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV), held at the Oba’s Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Engr. Salako-Oyedele emphasized that the proposed amendment—popularly known as the Gender Bill seeks to create 74 additional seats in the National Assembly and 108 seats in State Houses of Assembly reserved exclusively for women.
“This bill is not just a document—it is a declaration,” she said.
“It’s a bold and necessary step to correct a historical imbalance and offer structured access for women into legislative spaces where they have been long underrepresented.”
She charged attendees to amplify the advocacy beyond the halls of government. “Take this message to the airwaves, to markets, campuses, churches, mosques, social media, and every space where the Nigerian spirit breathes,” she said. “People must know what this bill is and why it matters.”
Salako-Oyedele added that the amendment should be seen not as a handout but a hand up. “Let’s build alliances across party lines, across gender lines, across generations. This is about building a nation that truly reflects the talent and diversity it holds,” she said.
Also speaking at the event, Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, stressed the urgency of the constitutional amendment.
“No country can truly flourish without empowering its women,” she said.
“Unfortunately, all bills relating to women’s inclusion were thrown out during the 9th National Assembly. We must not let that happen again.”
President of NILOWV, Hon. Irene Ikyegh, commended the efforts of the Ogun State chapter and the Commissioner for Women Affairs.
She noted, “If passed, this bill will not only put more women in decision-making positions but will also boost confidence and integrity among women leaders.”
Representing the Olowu of Owu, Oba Prof. Saka Matemilola, the Orunto of Owu Kingdom, Chief Biodun Lasile, noted that societal and religious constraints often hinder women’s access to power.
“We must encourage more education for our women. Literacy remains a major barrier to inclusion,” he stated.
In her goodwill message, Chief Mrs. Iyabo Apampa urged women to support each other. “Unless women come together and speak out, nothing will change. Culture and lack of access to finance remain the biggest challenges women face,” she said.
From civil society, Mr. Adeshina Adesegun and Mrs. Olatayo Adeifa, representing Women in Disability, pledged continued support for the movement.
“We’re committed to working with women-focused organisations to ensure this bill is passed so that by 2027, more women will take seats in both the National and State Assemblies,” Adesegun noted.
The host and Ogun State President of the League of Women Voters, Mrs. Elizabeth Egbeyemi, described the event as “a call to action and a collective affirmation that inclusive governance is not just a goal, but a necessity.”
“We’re underrepresented. That is why 74 additional seats in the National Assembly and 108 in State Assemblies reserved for women are not just numbers—they are milestones towards equity,” she said.
