Nigeria’s Struggle for Gender Inclusion in Politics
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, remains near the bottom of the continental rankings when it comes to women’s political representation. As of 2025, only 4.1% of seats in its National Assembly are held by women. This figure is significantly lower compared to countries like Rwanda (61.3%), Namibia (44.2%), and South Africa (42.7%), which have institutionalized gender parity through legal reforms and party-level quotas.
Rwanda stands as a global leader in women’s parliamentary representation. Following the 1994 genocide, the country rebuilt its political system with gender equity at its core. The Rwandan constitution mandates a minimum 30 per cent representation for women in decision-making bodies, and political parties actively promote female candidates. As a result, women occupy over 60 per cent of seats in the lower house and hold key ministerial positions in health, education, and gender affairs.
Namibia has also made historic strides. In 2025, it became the first country in the world where women simultaneously held the presidency, vice presidency, and speakership of parliament. The ruling SWAPO party enforces a ‘zebra system’, alternating male and female candidates on party lists. This policy has led to over 57 per cent female cabinet representation, making Namibia a model for inclusive governance.
South Africa follows closely, with strong constitutional protections and party-level gender quotas. The African National Congress (ANC), the dominant party, mandates 50 per cent female representation in its candidate lists. Women in South Africa hold influential roles in parliament, judiciary, and civil society, contributing to progressive legislation on gender-based violence and reproductive rights.
In contrast, Nigeria’s political landscape remains heavily male-dominated. Despite ratifying international conventions like CEDAW and adopting a 35 per cent affirmative action target, implementation has been weak. The proposed Reserved Seats Bill, which would create special seats for women in the National Assembly, has stalled in parliament. Cultural norms, religious conservatism, and political violence further deter women from seeking office.
Beyond parliament, Nigeria also lags in cabinet appointments, public service leadership, and party nominations. Women rarely lead major political parties, and campaign financing is skewed toward male candidates. In many cases, female politicians face media bias and societal scrutiny that undermine their credibility.
Namibia’s Historic Leap
Namibia consistently ranks among the top African countries in global gender indices. In the 2025 Global Gender Gap Report, Namibia placed in the top 10 for political empowerment and economic participation. It is viewed as a model for inclusive governance and gender-sensitive policymaking.
Nigeria ranked 143rd out of 144 countries in the same report for political empowerment. International observers have criticized Nigeria’s slow progress and urged reforms. The country’s poor performance affects its global image and limits its influence in gender-focused multilateral platforms.
Namibia’s political landscape has undergone a transformative shift in recent years. In March 2025, the country made history by appointing its first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who subsequently formed a cabinet with over 57 per cent female ministers. This milestone was complemented by the appointments of Lucia Witbooi as Vice President and Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila as Speaker of the National Assembly, making Namibia the only country in the world where women simultaneously hold the top three political positions.
Namibia’s success is rooted in deliberate policy choices. The ruling SWAPO party enforces a ‘zebra system’, which mandates alternating male and female candidates on party lists. This system has ensured near-equal representation in parliament and cabinet, supported by constitutional provisions and electoral laws that promote gender inclusion.
In stark contrast, Nigeria ranks among the lowest globally for female political representation. As of 2023, only 4.1% of seats in the National Assembly were held by women. Despite constitutional guarantees and Nigeria’s ratification of international conventions like CEDAW, implementation of gender quotas remains weak. The proposed Reserved Seats Bill, which aims to allocate one special seat for women per senatorial district and federal constituency, has faced resistance in parliament and remains unpassed.
Cultural norms, religious conservatism, and political violence continue to deter women from participating in politics. Even when women secure political office, they often face marginalization within legislative bodies and limited influence in decision-making processes.
Education and Entrepreneurship in Namibia
Namibia has achieved near gender parity in secondary and tertiary education enrollment. Girls and boys attend school at similar rates, and women are increasingly represented in academic leadership roles, including those of university vice-chancellors and deans. The government’s investment in rural education and scholarship programs for girls has contributed to these gains.
Nigeria, on the other hand, has made progress in female enrollment, particularly in urban areas. However, women remain underrepresented in STEM fields and university leadership. Cultural expectations, early marriage, and insecurity—especially in northern Nigeria—continue to hinder girls’ education. According to UNICEF, over 10 million Nigerian girls are out of school, making it one of the highest rates globally.
In academia, women face barriers to promotion and tenure. Few Nigerian universities have female vice chancellors, and gender bias persists in research funding and institutional governance.
Entrepreneurial Inclusion in Namibia
Namibia supports women entrepreneurs through targeted programmes, including access to credit, training, and procurement opportunities. The government’s Gender Responsive Budgeting Framework ensures that women benefit from public investments. Female representation on corporate boards is growing, with several women leading major financial institutions and private enterprises.
In Nigeria, women play a significant role in the informal economy, particularly in agriculture, trade, and services. However, they face limited access to formal credit, business registration, and market infrastructure. According to a PwC Nigeria report, women hold only 20 per cent of board seats in Nigerian companies, and less than 5 per cent serve as CEOs of major firms.
Structural barriers—including discriminatory inheritance laws, lack of childcare support, and gender bias in procurement—continue to exclude women from formal economic participation. While initiatives like the Bank of Industry’s Women’s Fund have provided some relief, broader reforms are needed to level the playing field.
Legal and Institutional Frameworks
Namibia’s legal framework for gender equality is robust and enforced. The constitution guarantees equal rights, and electoral laws mandate gender inclusion. The country has ratified key international instruments and integrated them into domestic law. Civil society organisations actively monitor compliance and advocate for reforms.
Nigeria’s legal protections are inconsistent and often unenforced. For example, Section 26(2)(a) of the Nigerian Constitution allows men to transfer citizenship to foreign spouses, but not women, reflecting broader gender inequality. Gender bills frequently stall in parliament due to a lack of political will and opposition from conservative blocs.
The National Gender Policy remains largely aspirational, with limited implementation at the federal and state levels. Institutions like the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs lack the resources and authority to drive systemic change.
Media and Cultural Representation
Namibia’s media landscape portrays women leaders positively, contributing to societal acceptance of female authority. Public campaigns celebrate women’s achievements and challenge gender stereotypes. Cultural narratives increasingly reflect progressive views on gender roles.
In Nigeria, media representation of women is mixed. While female celebrities and entrepreneurs receive coverage, women in politics are often subjected to scrutiny and sexist commentary. Cultural norms reinforce traditional gender roles, and female ambition is frequently portrayed as threatening or unnatural.
Efforts to shift narratives—such as Nollywood films promoting female empowerment and social media campaigns like #SheLeadsNaija—have gained traction, but deep-rooted biases persist.
Civil Society and Grassroots Mobilization
In terms of the works of civil societies, Namibia’s civil society plays a pivotal role in advancing gender equality. Organisations like the Namibian Women’s Lobby and Gender Links Namibia collaborate with government institutions to monitor progress, propose reforms, and support female candidates.
On the other hand, Nigeria has a vibrant but fragmented civil society landscape. Groups like Women in Politics Forum, WARDC, and Women Fund Nigeria advocate for inclusion, but coordination is limited. Advocacy efforts often lack sustained funding and face resistance from political elites.
Grassroots mobilization—especially during elections—has shown promise. Campaigns like #NotTooYoungToRun and #ElectHer have encouraged youth and women to seek office, but structural barriers remain.
Way Forward
One of only four female senators elected in 2023, Senator Ireti Kingibe, has repeatedly described the situation as ‘untenable,’ urging the National Assembly to pass the Reserved Seats Bill. She emphasized that ‘Nigeria cannot claim to be a democracy when half its population is excluded from decision-making.’
At the 2025 Voice of Women (VOW) Conference, Dr Amina Bryhm of Forum of National Women Leaders, called the gender gap ‘a national emergency,’ stating that ‘the Reserved Seats Bill is not a favor to women—it is a constitutional correction.’
Speaking at a media workshop in Lagos, Dunsin Olusanya – Managing Partner, WGC Co, noted that Nigeria’s ranking—near the bottom globally—’reflects systemic marginalisation, not a lack of qualified women.’ He called for urgent reforms in party structures and campaign financing.
Also, the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) described the current 4.1% representation as ‘a betrayal of Nigeria’s democratic promise,’ warning that continued exclusion will deepen inequality and erode public trust in institutions.
In its 2025 briefing, UN Women stated: ‘Nigeria’s failure to meet even basic gender inclusion targets undermines its commitments under CEDAW and the Sustainable Development Goals.’
