Minister Calls for Unity to Break Barrier

The Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has identified division among women as a major factor contributing to their continued exclusion from politics and governance in Nigeria.

Musawa said that although Nigerian women have historically shown enormous capacity to mobilise for social and political change, as exemplified by iconic figures such as the late Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Chief H.I.D. Awolowo and Margaret Ekpo, women, have yet to harness their strength in unity to claim their rightful place in leadership.

She spoke on Tuesday in Ikenne Remo, Ogun State, at a special dialogue organised by the H.I.D. Awolowo Foundation, with the theme, “Breaking Barriers or Standing Still? Nigerian Women in Politics 30 Years After Beijing.”

A communiqué issued at the end of the dialogue and signed by Dr Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, stated that for Nigeria to reclaim its future, it must adopt political practices that are inclusive, intersectional, intergenerational, and deliberately female-friendly.

The dialogue was held to commemorate the 110th posthumous birthday of Chief (Mrs) H.I.D. Awolowo, who died on September 19, 2015.

The event took on a sombre tone following the recent passing of her first grandson, Segun Awolowo, at 62.

Dignitaries in attendance included the convener of the dialogue, Awolowo-Dosumu; Senator Daisy Danjuma, Chairman of the H.I.D. Awolowo Foundation; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Senator Uche Ekwunife; and Prof. Olabisi Aina, among others.

The minister noted that despite the global commitments made under the landmark 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which affirmed the rights of women and called for gender equality, progress in Nigeria has been slow.

She said, “We are powerful, yes — but we are not yet organising our power in ways that truly transform politics.

“Our movements are passionate, but often divided. Our voices are loud, but not always coordinated. And when we are fragmented, the system finds it easier to ignore us.”

Musawa emphasised that unity across party lines, regions, religions, and ideologies is essential if women are to overcome persistent barriers to political participation.

“One woman breaking a barrier is inspiring. Ten thousand women pushing that barrier together is unstoppable,” she said.

She further stressed the need for women to collaborate with men as allies in driving meaningful reforms.

Musawa paid tribute to H.I.D. Awolowo, and described her as a woman of exceptional courage whose leadership continues to inspire generations.

In her remarks, Danjuma lamented the limited space available to women in Nigeria’s political landscape, saying this exclusion has contributed to the nation’s slow development.

She noted that countries achieving significant progress globally have done so by ensuring meaningful female representation—often 30 per cent or more—in their governance structures.

The convener, Awolowo-Dosumu, said the dialogue aimed to reflect on the trajectory of women’s political participation three decades after the Beijing conference.

She recalled her mother’s courage, including her decision to contest for Prime Minister in 1965 during Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s incarceration.

While acknowledging the discouraging statistics on women’s leadership across sectors, she urged upcoming female leaders to remain courageous, persistent, and determined.

Awolowo-Dosumu added that Nigerian women must ensure that “30 years after Beijing” does not become a narrative of stagnation but a renewed call to action.

Also speaking, Deputy Governor Salako-Oyedele urged political parties to introduce female-friendly policies such as reserved quotas for women and reductions or waivers on nomination form fees.