The Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, has urged political parties and lawmakers to implement affirmative action measures to boost women’s inclusion in elective positions and party structures.
Speaking during an advocacy visit by the Women’s Collective Forum at INEC headquarters in Abuja, Yakubu reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive democracy, aligning with the United Nations’ 2025 International Day of Democracy theme: “Achieving Gender Equality: From Voice to Action.”
Yakubu highlighted INEC’s internal progress as a model for broader societal change, noting that women currently lead 12 out of 22 departments and directorates at the commission’s headquarters, accounting for 55% of directors in Abuja.
“Across the States of the Federation, many of our substantive Administrative Secretaries, who are also Directors, are women,” he added, emphasizing that INEC operates as an equal-opportunities institution with a dedicated Department of Gender and Inclusivity and an updated gender policy to support these efforts.
The INEC boss pointed to ongoing dialogues with political parties as a key strategy, stating, “In our consultative meetings with political parties, we have consistently urged them to ensure greater representation for under-represented groups in party leadership.
Many of them have responded positively, although much work needs to be done.” However, he stressed that true advancement requires legislative backing, advocating for amendments to the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2022 to enshrine affirmative action.
“The commission believes that the most effective way of ensuring greater representation for women and other marginalised groups in the legislative assemblies is affirmative action supported by clear legal provision, as was the case in many jurisdictions,” Yakubu explained.
This push comes at a critical juncture for Nigerian politics, where women’s representation remains disproportionately low despite comprising nearly half the population.
Recent elections have shown modest gains, but advocates argue that systemic barriers—such as funding challenges and cultural biases—continue to sideline female candidates.
INEC’s advocacy builds on a January 2025 retreat with the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Electoral Matters, where the commission endorsed proposed amendments to enhance women’s roles in elective offices.
The Women’s Collective Forum, a coalition of gender rights activists, commended INEC’s leadership during the visit and pledged continued collaboration.
Yakubu reciprocated, assuring the group of INEC’s partnership in amplifying women’s voices.
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