International Women’s Day: From power corridors to streets, Nigerian women’s struggles persist, by Hamzat Ibrahim
International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on the state of women in Nigeria—from the corridors of power to the streets.
While women continue to push for inclusion and equality, the realities they face expose a deep-seated culture of misogyny, injustice, and neglect. The recent controversy surrounding Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio is a glaring example of how power protects men while silencing women.
When Natasha accused Akpabio of sexual harassment, the Senate’s response was not to investigate the allegations but to suspend her—effectively punishing the accuser while shielding the accused. This incident mirrors a pattern of gendered injustice in Nigeria, where women who speak up against abuse are often silenced rather than supported.
Sexual harassment and abuse of power in Nigeria’s political space are not new.
In 2019, Senator Elisha Abbo was caught on camera physically assaulting a woman in a sex toy shop in Abuja. Despite public outrage, he remained in office for years before facing any political consequences.
READ ALSO: Celebrating Women’s Day: Honoring strength, resilience, equality
Similarly, in 2016, several Nigerian lawmakers were accused of sexual misconduct while on a trip to the United States, but no disciplinary action was taken. These cases highlight how impunity thrives in Nigeria’s leadership, reinforcing a system where women are unsafe in positions of power and discouraged from seeking justice.
Beyond the political space, millions of Nigerian women face systemic challenges that keep them at a disadvantage. One of the most alarming issues is the growing number of out-of-school girls.
According to UNICEF, Nigeria has over 10 million out-of-school children, with girls making up the majority. In states like Borno, Yobe, and Sokoto, cultural, insecurity and economic barriers prevent girls from receiving an education. Many are forced into early marriage, trapped in domestic servitude, or subjected to exploitation.
Without education, these girls are locked in a cycle of poverty, unable to access opportunities that could empower them to shape their own futures.
Nigeria cannot afford to continue sidelining its women. A society that marginalises half its population cannot truly progress. Women’s empowerment should not be reduced to mere rhetoric on days like this; it must be backed by deliberate action.
First, there should be an independent investigation into allegations of sexual harassment in the National Assembly, and institutional mechanisms must be strengthened to protect women in politics from abuse.
The suspension of Senator Natasha should be reversed, and a legal framework should be established to prevent further cases of intimidation against women who speak up.
Secondly, Nigeria must prioritise female education. This means enforcing laws against child marriage, increasing school funding for girls, and addressing cultural biases that discourage female learning.
The government should implement policies that provide financial incentives for families to keep their daughters in school and ensure that education remains a right, not a privilege.
Finally, Nigerian women must be included in decision-making at all levels. The National Assembly remains largely male-dominated, with women holding less than 10% of seats. Gender quotas should be enforced to ensure fair representation, and women must be given equal opportunities in governance, business, and leadership.
This International Women’s Day should serve as a reminder that Nigeria’s progress is tied to the fate of its women. A country that protects abusers while silencing victims, that neglects the education of its girls, and that refuses to empower its women is a country that continues to fail itself.
It is time for Nigeria to prioritise women—not just in words, but in action.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp:
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
