WILAN urges support for women’s leadership ahead of 2027 polls

 

 

Women

 

 

By Aderonke Ojediran

The Women in Leadership Advancement Network (WILAN) has urged Nigerians to support women’s leadership and engage actively in the democratic process ahead of the 2027 elections.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that WILAN, founded in 2018, is a non-profit organisation promoting women’s leadership across all levels.

 

WILAN Executive Director, Abosede George-Ogan, made the call in Lagos at the close of the Leading Women television programme with the theme ‘The Nigeria We Want’.

 

She said the initiative challenges entrenched perceptions about leadership and promotes gender balance in governance.

 

“Nigeria is almost evenly split, with women about 49 per cent, yet representation in leadership, especially politics, remains in single digits.

 

“The highest we have reached is 7.6 per cent. That is a problem we must confront,” she said.

 

George-Ogan said societal conditioning had long discouraged women from aspiring to leadership roles.

 

“We were not socialised to believe women should lead. Many mothers and grandmothers never saw leadership as their place,” she said.

 

She said the Leading Women show was created to move private conversations on women’s leadership into the public domain.

 

“If mothers are pillars of the home, why can’t that same pillar be a governor?

 

“The skills to manage households, people and crises are the same skills required for governance,” she said.

 

George-Ogan urged Nigerians to go beyond passive viewership and actively share the programme’s messages.

 

“We want people to watch, but more importantly, to act by encouraging women and giving them support,” she said.

 

She said mass media remained vital, noting the programme airs on NTA, Channels Television and YouTube.

 

George-Ogan expressed concern over low voter turnout, describing it as a major threat to democracy.

 

“At our peak, only about 20 per cent of registered voters vote. That is a serious problem.

 

“Your vote is your right, and turnout makes elections harder to rig,” she added.

 

She warned against vote-buying, saying short-term incentives often lead to long-term hardship.

 

“A bag of rice today can seem valuable compared to four years of suffering.

 

“If you know better, educate someone else not to mortgage their future,” she said.

 

George-Ogan urged greater grassroots engagement, particularly at the local government level.

 

“Local governments have more autonomy and resources. Citizens should know and hold councillors and chairpersons accountable,” she said.

 

She stressed that political participation went beyond contesting elections.

 

“Even if you are not running for office, participation is your right as a citizen,” she said.

 

George-Ogan called for inclusion to be mainstreamed into all government policies and programmes.

 

“When programmes are designed, they must be planned for everyone, including women with disabilities,” she said.

 

She said mainstreaming inclusion optimised resources and avoided costly retrofitting later.

 

On the programme’s theme, she said it amplifies citizens’ voices ahead of the elections.

 

“The office of the citizen is the highest office in the land.

 

“This show ensures candidates cannot claim ignorance of what Nigerians want,” George-Ogan said.

 

She said the programme featured diverse perspectives, including women, persons with disabilities and young people.

 

On representation, George-Ogan acknowledged progress but said gaps remained.

 

“Nigeria has never had an elected female president or governor. Structural solutions like quotas and reserved seats are needed,” she said.

 

She said the Leading Women show would air weekly for 13 weeks on NTA, Channels Television and YouTube.

 

“We want Nigerians to be informed, empowered and ready to shape a better country,” she said. (NAN)