Women Leaders Call for Early Integration of Young Adults into Nigeria's Political Space

Strategic Insights -

Women leaders in Nigeria, including the Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, and the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Ibrahim, have joined forces to advocate for the early integration of young adults into the nation's political space. Speaking at the 2025 Lagos State APC Women Summit, they emphasized the need for increased female representation in politics and called for youths to prepare to make their votes count in the upcoming 2027 general election.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Ibrahim, praised President Bola Tinubu's administration for giving more opportunities to women and youths in his cabinet, highlighting that 60% of Nigeria's population are under 25, with most being women.
  • Ibrahim urged women to continue to aspire and seize opportunities provided by Tinubu's cabinet, which has eight female ministers, and to make good use of the chance to shape governance.
  • Sanwo-Olu stressed the need to mentor children early to appreciate the importance of performing civic responsibilities, citing examples of parents in the North who expose their children to civic responsibilities early.
  • Sanwo-Olu expressed hope for a mindset shift for early commitment to political participation by young people, emphasizing the need for collaboration among women, youths, and residents to return President Tinubu for another term.
  • The state's APC Women Leader, Mrs Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, urged women to own and showcase the ongoing development strides of the present administration, emphasizing the need for women to be architects of the party's future.
  • Okoya-Thomas praised Tinubu's administration for increasing the number of women in government and targeting over 4.5 million women for women's scale-up projects, while highlighting the success of training and empowerment programs for women.

Statistics:

  • 60% of Nigeria's population are under 25, with most being women.
  • Only 762,000 out of seven million registered voters voted in the 2023 general governorship election in Lagos State.
  • 8 female ministers are part of President Tinubu's cabinet.
  • 4.5 million women, including Nigerians, have been targeted for women's scale-up projects by Tinubu's administration.

Sources:

  • News Agency of Nigeria, "Wife of Lagos Gov, Minister of Women Affairs Call for Early Political Participation" (2025)
  • Interviewees and speakers at the 2025 Lagos State APC Women Summit, including Hajia Imaan Ibrahim, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, and Mrs Jumoke Okoya-Thomas.