Stakeholders call for more women in leadership as labour institute marks International Women’s Day

 

 

Stakeholders in the labour movement and public sector have called for stronger policies to increase women’s participation in governance and national development, including the creation of special seats for women in Nigeria’s National Assembly.

The call was made during the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration organised in Ilorin by the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies in collaboration with the Development Research and Projects Centre.

Speaking at the event, Director-General of the institute, Issa Aremu, said deliberate policy actions were necessary to address the low level of women’s representation in political leadership.

According to him, one of the proposals being discussed is the creation of special seats for women in the National Assembly of Nigeria, with six seats suggested for each geopolitical zone.

“We must be deliberate and intentional about women’s participation in governance. Women constitute a significant portion of the population and should be adequately represented in leadership positions,” Aremu said.

He noted that women make up about 51 per cent of the global population and therefore deserve greater inclusion in decision-making processes.

The labour leader also joined Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, in celebrating women worldwide for their contributions to national and global development.

Aremu commended the administration of President Tinubu for appointing women to strategic positions in government, noting that many of them were already making meaningful contributions in key sectors.

He also praised female staff members of the institute for their dedication, stating that their commitment had contributed significantly to the achievements recorded by MINILS.

According to him, women often bring unique perspectives to leadership, particularly in promoting dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution.

“Global experience has shown that women leaders demonstrated effective leadership during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.

Unity among women vital for progress

Also speaking at the event, Chairperson of the Women Committee of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Kwara State, Victoria Agboola, emphasised the need for solidarity among women to advance gender equality.

She said International Women’s Day provided an opportunity to celebrate achievements while renewing commitments to empowering women across all sectors.

“Today is not just another date on the calendar. It is a moment to reflect, celebrate progress and most importantly renew our collective commitment to empowering women in every sphere of society,” she said.

Agboola stressed that women’s progress historically had been driven by collaboration and mutual support.

“No woman advances alone, and no society truly progresses when half of its population is left behind,” she stated.

She urged women to mentor younger generations, support female leadership and build networks that promote collaboration instead of rivalry.

“When women stand together, they amplify their voices, multiply their impact and shape a future that is more equitable for everyone,” she added.

Women urged to pursue economic independence

In her remarks, Assistant Chief Labour Officer of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs Racheal Abosede Adeoye, encouraged women to pursue education, vocational skills and entrepreneurship to strengthen their economic independence.

Adeoye, who represented the Kwara State Controller of the ministry, Mr Orodiran Michael Bola, urged women to take responsibility for their personal growth and professional development.

“Women should be articulate, resilient and hardworking. They must stand up for themselves and take responsibility for their lives,” she said.

“At this present time, women should not rely solely on others but should strive to be independent by learning trades, improving academically and becoming entrepreneurs.”

She also advised women to familiarise themselves with labour laws to better understand their rights in the workplace.

“Wherever women find themselves working, they should know their rights, understand the rules and be aware of the laws guiding them as employees,” Adeoye said.

She added that awareness of labour regulations would help female workers protect their interests and promote fairness in workplaces.

Collective action needed for national development

Also speaking, the Kwara State Director of the National Orientation Agency, Alhaji Dare AbdulGaniyu, said the advancement of women was critical to national progress.

He noted that empowering women required sustained collaboration among institutions, communities and policymakers.

“This gathering is not just a celebration but a moment for reflection on how we can collectively support women and ensure they play their rightful roles in national development,” AbdulGaniyu said.

He added that promoting national values such as discipline, patriotism and civic responsibility alongside gender inclusion would help build a more prosperous and inclusive society.

Participants at the event agreed that sustained advocacy, supportive policies and stronger partnerships were necessary to expand opportunities for women in leadership, economic participation and social development across Nigeria.