The 2025 International Women’s Day, themed Accelerate Action, has underscored the urgent need for equal representation of women in all levels of governance and leadership in Nigeria.
Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Secretary-General of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), speaking at his office in Abuja on Friday, stated that the theme called for decisive steps towards achieving gender equality and addressing the slow progress in empowering women and girls worldwide.
According to him, the day serves as a moment of reflection on the imbalance in representation at decision-making levels, highlighting the need for faster and more effective strides towards inclusive leadership.
He stressed that if women are not present in key decision-making roles, no one can advocate for their interests as effectively. “When more women are at the centre of decision-making, issues affecting them will receive greater attention. It is essential for women to have a rightful seat at the table where decisions are made,” he said.
Orji noted that while International Women’s Day is observed on 8 March, NEITI chose to celebrate it in advance, given the higher mortality rates of women in Africa due to increased exposure to risks.
He further stated that women remain underrepresented in high-level positions, often facing systemic barriers that hinder their participation and advancement.
“This disparity not only limits women’s potential contributions to global development but also deprives society of diverse perspectives that are essential for sustainable growth and innovation,” he said.
He pointed out that leadership in Nigeria’s extractive industries remains male-dominated, illustrating a critical lack of gender balance in decision-making. While progress has been made in increasing women’s representation at the federal level, he stressed the need for further efforts to achieve full gender balance.
The NEITI Secretary-General stated that the meeting aimed to provide insights into the legal and policy frameworks that could promote gender equality, workplace rights, and inclusive governance in Nigeria’s extractive sector.
Mrs Ezinwa Okoroafor, a representative of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), described the meeting as one of the key strategies to advance gender equality.
“As we engage in these discussions, we will share insights and ideas that enhance our understanding of what more can be done to promote gender equality,” she said.
Also speaking, Mrs Tengi George-Ikoli, Senior Programme Officer at the Natural Resource Governance Institute, emphasised that women have consistently demonstrated competence, resilience, and leadership in the oil, gas, and mineral sectors.
George-Ikoli stated that through strong advocacy, more women would gain access to opportunities for leadership and economic empowerment in traditionally male-dominated sectors.
“Today’s meeting provides a valuable platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and strategic collaboration,” she added.
