Nigeria risks stalled development due to a severe and persistent lack of female representation in key political and corporate leadership positions.
This is highlighted in a report by the Women in Leadership Advancement Network (WILAN) during the virtual launch of its inaugural State of Women’s Leadership in Nigeria report.
The event also unveiled the next phase of WILAN’s MsRepresented campaign, which calls for at least 35 per cent female representation in both public and private leadership roles.
Presenting the report, WILAN Founder and Executive Director, Ms Abosede George-Ogan, described the findings as “a study in contrasts,” noting that while women drive community development and service delivery, they remain largely excluded from top decision-making tables.
George-Ogan said the challenge is no longer about competence but “access and systemic constraints.”
According to the report, women occupy only 21 of the 469 seats in the 10th National Assembly — a mere 4.5 per cent, among the lowest in Africa and far below the global average of 27.2 per cent.
“The imbalance extends to the federal cabinet, where women hold eight of 48 ministerial positions and ten of 34 presidential adviser roles,” she said. “When a nation consistently keeps half its talent outside the rooms where decisions are made, it weakens governance outcomes and undermines development.”
At the state level, women hold 49 of 988 state assembly seats. While six women currently serve as Deputy Speakers, most states record single-digit representation. Kwara stands out with 46 per cent female cabinet composition, alongside stronger performances in Ekiti, Oyo, Taraba, Anambra, and Kaduna.
The judiciary, however, shows notable progress, with 15 states now having female Chief Judges, and women occupying about one-third of seats at the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. George-Ogan said the judiciary demonstrates that “where pathways are transparent and progression is based on merit, women rise.”
Local governance tells a different story, with women holding just 41 of 811 local government chairperson positions (5 per cent) and 604 of 8,773 Councillor seats nationwide. Some southern states, such as Akwa Ibom, record higher inclusion at 34 per cent, while several northern states have no female Councillors at all.
In the private sector, women hold 31 per cent of board seats across the top 50 companies on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), though only five firms have female board chairs. Financial institutions perform best, helped by regulatory frameworks, while oil and gas, technology, and utilities lag far behind.
In the education and health sectors, women dominate frontline roles — as teachers, nurses, midwives, and community health workers — but rarely lead institutions. Only 12 of Nigeria’s 270 Vice Chancellors are women.
The report also highlights persistent cultural and structural barriers, including narrow perceptions of leadership, gendered expectations, and biased recruitment processes. George-Ogan described this as a “double bind” that penalizes women for being “either too soft or too strong.”
Calling for urgent reforms, she stressed the need for “intersectionality, transparent pathways, accountable institutions, and leaders willing to commit to measurable change.”
WILAN Board Member, Ms Nafisa Atiku-Adejuwon, said the report provides a clear benchmark for action. “The data is clear. Women are not underperforming; they are underrepresented. Nations that prioritize gender-balanced leadership are more prosperous and stable,” she said.
