With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, the Women in Leadership Advancement Network (WILAN) has called on Nigerians to rally behind women leaders and take a more active role in the democratic process.
Founded in 2018, WILAN is a non-profit organisation committed to widening the path for women’s leadership at every rung of society.
The charge was sounded in Lagos by WILAN’s Executive Director, Abosede George-Ogan, at the wrap-up of the Leading Women television programme themed ‘The Nigeria We Want’.
According to her, the initiative is designed to crack long-standing stereotypes about leadership and push gender balance from the margins to the mainstream of governance.
“Nigeria is almost evenly split, with women about 49 per cent, yet representation in leadership, especially politics, remains in single digits.
“The highest we have reached is 7.6 per cent. That is a problem we must confront,” she said.
George-Ogan traced the gap to deep-rooted social conditioning that has, for generations, clipped women’s political wings.
“We were not socialised to believe women should lead. Many mothers and grandmothers never saw leadership as their place,” she said.
She explained that the Leading Women programme was created to drag conversations about women’s leadership from living rooms into the public square.
“If mothers are pillars of the home, why can’t that same pillar be a governor?
“The skills to manage households, people and crises are the same skills required for governance,” she said.
Urging viewers not to remain armchair spectators, George-Ogan challenged Nigerians to amplify the programme’s message and actively support women with leadership ambitions.
“We want people to watch, but more importantly, to act by encouraging women and giving them support,” she said.
She underscored the continued relevance of mass media, noting that the programme is broadcast on NTA, Channels Television and YouTube.
George-Ogan also raised the alarm over poor voter turnout, describing it as a slow poison threatening Nigeria’s democracy.
“At our peak, only about 20 per cent of registered voters vote. That is a serious problem.
“Your vote is your right, and turnout makes elections harder to rig,” she added.
Warning against vote-buying, she said momentary gains often pave the way for prolonged suffering.
“A bag of rice today can seem valuable compared to four years of suffering.
“If you know better, educate someone else not to mortgage their future,” she said.
She called for deeper citizen engagement at the grassroots, particularly within local governments.
“Local governments have more autonomy and resources. Citizens should know and hold councillors and chairpersons accountable,” she said.
George-Ogan stressed that civic participation is broader than seeking elective office.
“Even if you are not running for office, participation is your right as a citizen,” she said.
She further advocated for inclusion to be woven into the fabric of all government policies and programmes.
“When programmes are designed, they must be planned for everyone, including women with disabilities,” she said.
According to her, inclusive planning saves resources and prevents expensive fixes down the line.
On the programme’s theme, George-Ogan said it serves as a megaphone for citizens’ voices ahead of the polls.
“The office of the citizen is the highest office in the land.
“This show ensures candidates cannot claim ignorance of what Nigerians want,” she said.
She noted that the programme brings together a rich mix of perspectives, including women, persons with disabilities and young people.
While acknowledging modest progress in representation, she maintained that significant gaps persist.
“Nigeria has never had an elected female president or governor. Structural solutions like quotas and reserved seats are needed,” she said.
George-Ogan added that the Leading Women show will run weekly for 13 weeks on NTA, Channels Television and YouTube.
“We want Nigerians to be informed, empowered and ready to shape a better country,” she said.
