Equity, not just equality, is what women need in politics — Hon. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje

For decades, Nigerian women have had a challenging time in politics, overcoming cultural biases, economic obstacles and deeply embedded institutional limitations. The path to leadership remains difficult and steep, despite major advocacy efforts and legislative measures aimed at increasing women’s representation. In this interview with Daily Trust, former member of the House of Representatives and […]

For decades, Nigerian women have had a challenging time in politics, overcoming cultural biases, economic obstacles and deeply embedded institutional limitations. The path to leadership remains difficult and steep, despite major advocacy efforts and legislative measures aimed at increasing women’s representation. In this interview with Daily Trust, former member of the House of Representatives and former Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje discusses the cultural, economic and institutional challenges women face in politics, and why true progress requires equity, mentorship and open doors for women leaders.

 

Despite advocacy efforts and the position you once occupied, women’s representation in elective positions remains low. Why is this still happening?

There are historical reasons. There are cultural reasons — I’m sure you’ve heard that. There are economic reasons. A lot of women are disempowered. There are institutional reasons.

We have tried to push the Special Seats Bill. There was a judicial endorsement by a group of civil society organisations that challenged the non-implementation of the gender policy in 2020. They went to court, and there was a judicial pronouncement in 2022. Even then, nothing has moved. So the needle has not shifted.

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There is institutional lack of support. There is violence in that space. There is unfair competition. Political parties are supposed to act as filters, but even when they offer concessions, it is often not enough. For instance, when we ran on the platform of the PDP, they gave women the expression of interest forms for free. Yes, that initially reduces the financial burden, but that is just the tip of the iceberg.

It is a myriad of issues — economic, social, cultural, religious, structural disempowerment and entrenched mindsets. It is a complex, long-standing problem. And frankly, it is not getting any better. This is the third time the Special Seats Bill has come before the National Assembly. I do not see it progressing. When you put all these factors together, you realise why the numbers remain low.

 

As a woman with experience in politics, what personal barriers did you have to break to get to where you are?

I would say the androcentric barrier. Nigeria is a very androcentric society. Men are front and centre in our society — even in our homes.

The greatest challenge I had to surmount was changing mindsets. That barrier is external. If it were finances, you could raise funds. If it were mobilising people, you could campaign harder. After all, most voters are women. But the challenge that is outside your control is breaking that androcentric bias.

Your growth trajectory is constantly seen as being in conflict with your family trajectory. Those are challenges. While African society is integrated and families can offer support, the most difficult obstacle remains that entrenched mindset. That is the struggle for most women in public life.

 

Do political parties invest enough in women? You mentioned the PDP waived forms for women. Is that sufficient?

Absolutely not. Before leadership selection, there must be leadership recruitment. We hardly talk about leadership recruitment in Nigeria. Politics is treated as an all-comers affair.

In the private sector, you actively seek out the best hands for a job. We do not see that in politics. Leadership recruitment is practically non-existent. It is at that stage that you deliberately identify capable individuals — including women.

After recruitment comes selection. Political parties are meant to filter and present credible candidates for election. That is their core responsibility. Yet when they say they are conducting free and fair primaries, they forget their gatekeeping role.

The gender policy recommends 35 per cent representation for women in appointive and elective positions. How much are political parties doing to ensure that? Virtually nothing. There is tokenism. Waiving forms is symbolic, but it does not address systemic exclusion.

Look at party structures: the only consistent position reserved for women is “women leader.” At ward and local levels, key leadership roles remain dominated by men. It often operates like an old boys’ club. Women are reduced to token representation — singing and mobilising at rallies.

Political parties must democratise themselves in ways that reflect Nigeria’s population. They cannot hide behind the argument that they are merely reflecting the will of the people. They are the filters. They have the power to create a more egalitarian environment for women to thrive.

 

How significant is funding in determining women’s success in politics?

Funding is critical. Printing flyers costs money. T-shirts cost money. Mobilisation costs money. Creating awareness costs money. And because you are swimming against the tide as a woman, it costs even more.

Years of bias work against you. The majority of those with financial power are men, and men are more likely to support male candidates. That makes it harder for women to secure backing.

Leadership is still seen as male. The face of leadership “wears trousers.” When a man is described as ambitious, it is a compliment. When a woman is described as ambitious, it becomes derogatory.

I remember being repeatedly asked why I wanted to run for the House of Representatives. My male counterparts were rarely asked that question. Society still struggles to see leadership in a woman’s face. That is where it begins.

 

What kind of support do women need most — mentorship, finance or institutional backing?

Institutional support is paramount. Many argue that women do not need affirmative action. Ironically, men have long benefited from informal affirmative action simply because they are men.

We need what I call a “sunshine law” — a framework that opens doors deliberately. Other countries have used quota systems to accelerate inclusion, and it has worked. Nigeria is not proposing something unprecedented.

In the words of Hillary Clinton, women’s rights are human rights. Excluding over 50 per cent of the population from leadership undermines national development. Countries that include women have recorded stronger laws, more humane governance, greater peacebuilding efforts and improved accountability.

Nigeria faces corruption, insecurity and governance deficits. Women bring perspective, accountability and balance to the table. Institutionally, doors must open wider. It is existential for Nigeria.

Mentorship is equally important. When a man commits an infraction, he is judged as an individual. When a woman does, it becomes a judgment on all women. That is why young women need guidance from those who have walked the path — to understand the resilience required and the expectations placed upon them.

On the Special Seats Bill, some argue that reserved seats suggest charity rather than equal capacity. How do you respond? Do women currently have equal standing in politics?

That argument reflects an incomplete narrative. We are not equal in opportunity. Women are running a race with their legs tied.

Representation figures of three to five per cent should alarm every Nigerian. If a sunshine law can bridge that gap — and it has worked elsewhere — then it should be embraced as a development tool.

This is not about proving equality. It is about equity. Numbers matter. National growth requires all hands on deck. The political system has created a leaky pipeline for women, and the attrition rate should concern everyone.

This is not a battle of the sexes. It is about national progress. We all lose when women are absent from decision-making rooms.

 

Do you believe Nigeria could one day have a female president?

I do not want to say it is impossible, but it would require significant shifts in mindset and structure. It will take more than wishful thinking.

 

What message do you have for young women who feel discouraged about entering politics?

I tell them to keep at it. Just do it. Persistence matters. In the words of Madeleine Albright, there is a special place in hell for women who do not support other women. Many women may not yet have the power men do, but there are countless women rooting for others to succeed.

When more women are in the room, governance improves. Those of us who have cracked what I call the “cement ceiling” — not just the glass ceiling — hold the door open for others. And we walked through doors because other women held them open for us.

So to young women, I say: do not give up. There are women holding the door open. Walk through it.