As Nigeria joins the global community to commemorate three decades since the historic Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the HID Awolowo Foundation is convening a major national dialogue to examine the state of women’s political participation in the country.
A statement signed by Ambassador Dr. Olatokunb Awolowo Dosumu, Coordinator and CEO of the Foundation, described the event as “a moment to reflect on progress, reclaim agency and reimagine leadership in Nigeria through the eyes of its women.”
The event, with the theme: “Breaking barriers or standing still? Nigerian women in politics 30 years after Beijing”, will be held on Tuesday, November 25 at Efunyela Hall, Ikenne, Ogun State, starting at 9:00 am, as part of activities commemorating the posthumous 110th birthday anniversary of Yeye Oodua, Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo.
Established in 2016 by Ambassador Dr. Awolowo Dosumu, the Foundation continues the imposing legacy of HID Awolowo (1915-2015), a formidable businesswoman, political actor, community leader and iconic matriarch of the Awolowo family.
Celebrated for her grace, resilience, and quiet but steadfast influence on Nigeria’s political history, HID Awolowo remains a role model for generations of women navigating the intersections of leadership, family, and public service.
This year’s dialogue aims to challenge the slow pace of progress in women’s political representation in Nigeria, despite decades of advocacy and the country’s commitments under the Beijing Platform for Action. Recent statistics show that Nigerian women remain significantly underrepresented in elected and appointed positions, prompting renewed calls for reforms and greater institutional support.
The event brings together a distinguished group of policymakers, gender advocates, academics and women leaders.
Senator Daisy Danjuma, former Senator of the Federal Republic and CEO of South Atlantic Petroleum, will chair the dialogue.
The keynote address will be delivered by a renowned academic and gender expert, Professor Olabisi Aina, who is expected to provide a comprehensive analysis of Nigeria’s journey from 1995 to date, highlighting both progress and persistent gaps.
“Through a combination of historical reflection, policy analysis, storytelling and action-oriented conversations, the event will bring together policymakers, academics, activists and women leaders from all generations.
Participants will wonder why, despite decades of advocacy, Nigerian women remain grossly underrepresented in elected and appointed positions; explore cultural and structural impediments; and highlight the voices and lived experiences of women who have dared to lead,” the statement said.
He added that the conversation “will unfold around seven interconnected subtopics and will conclude with a panel on the way forward.”
The focus areas of the conversation are: Historical and political context: “Beijing ’95 to Today: Tracking Nigeria’s Commitments and Delivery”; Representation and reality: “The numbers don’t lie: Why are Nigerian women still missing in action?”; Barriers and progress: “The glass ceiling and the iron fence: cultural and structural barriers to women’s leadership”; Lessons from elsewhere: “Why have other nations crossed the threshold?”; Women in Power: Lived Experiences: “In Their Own Words: Stories of Women Who Led – or Tried to”; Youth, intersectionality and the future: “Next generation, new lens: young women and the future of political leadership”; Advocacy: “Power in numbers: The role of women’s movements, civil society organizations and alliances”; Action Planning: “The Way Forward: Building a New Agenda for Nigerian Women in Politics.”
The dialogue, according to the statement, will also feature the views of a diverse panel of high-profile speakers, including: Her Excellency Dr. Chantal Fanny, Vice President of the Ivory Coast Senate; Senator Uche Ekwunife, politician, legislator and banker; Lawyer Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy and Dr. Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, Founder of RISE Networks and RISE Interactive Studios, Africa.
The closing session, focused on charting a concrete way forward, will be moderated by Honorable Abike Dabiri-Erewa, President and CEO of the Commission on Nigerians in Diaspora, former federal legislator and respected advocate for Nigerians in Diaspora.
Goodwill messages are expected from distinguished personalities including visiting state governors and the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engineer Noimot Salako-Oyedele.
Ms. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, will deliver a special message from United Nations Women.
According to the Foundation, the 2025 dialogue seeks to “go beyond rhetoric towards viable strategies” that deepen the inclusion of women in politics, strengthen collaboration between generations and align national efforts with global commitments on gender equality.
The dialogue is part of the Foundation’s broader mission to promote national development, peace and well-being, values embodied throughout the life of Chief HID Awolowo, one of Nigeria’s most influential women of the 20th century.