The federal government has unveiled plans to revive Women Political Empowerment Centres across the six geopolitical zones to boost women’s participation in politics and strengthen inclusive governance nationwide.

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, said this in a goodwill message at the 2026 National Assembly Open Week,  in Abuja.

Ms Sulaiman-Ibrahim, represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs Asanye Esuabana, said the centres would be managed in partnership with Civil Society Organisations across the country.

She said the centres would provide leadership training, mentorship, campaign support and technical skills for aspiring women politicians, thereby enhancing their capacity to participate effectively in governance.

According to the minister, the initiative will strengthen women’s participation in politics and promote inclusive governance by creating opportunities for more women to assume leadership positions.

“By reviving the Women Political Empowerment Centres across the six geopolitical zones, we are building a sustainable pipeline of competent, confident and capable women leaders who will shape Nigeria’s future,” said Ms Sulaiman-Ibrahim.

She also called for legal safeguards for the proposed Electoral College under the Women’s Special Seats Bill to prevent political manipulation and strengthen accountability in the process.

The minister said appropriate provisions in the Electoral Act would ensure transparency, protect the integrity of the system and strengthen public confidence in the proposed mechanism.

Ms Sulaiman-Ibrahim explained that while the mechanism has changed, the mission remains uncompromised, noting that “the proposed Women’s Special Seats Bill provides Nigeria with a practical and historic opportunity to end the systemic exclusion of women from legislative decision-making”.

Ms Sulaiman-Ibrahim said the bill proposed 12 additional Senate seats, 37 House of Representatives seats, and 108 State Houses of Assembly seats, with a 16-year sunset clause.

She noted that sustained engagement with political leaders had increased the emergence of female candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, reflecting growing support for inclusion.

The minister urged stakeholders to support constitutional reforms that would deepen women’s inclusion in governance and further strengthen democratic institutions across the country.

“Women’s political empowerment transcends partisan politics. It is a national development imperative that demands collective commitment from government, political parties, civil society and every Nigerian,” she explained. 

(NAN)