Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, has called for increased participation of women in governance, warning that exclusion of women from leadership positions could slow national development.
Usman made the call while delivering a keynote address at the 2026 Young Women’s Leadership Conference held in Abuja. She described women’s inclusion in governance as a “development necessity” rather than a social obligation, stressing that Nigeria’s progress depends on how effectively women are empowered to influence policy and contribute to national growth.
According to her, government institutions must deliberately create opportunities that support women’s empowerment, leadership advancement, and participation in decision-making processes across the country.
She also urged public institutions and lawmakers to strengthen laws and policies that promote gender equality and accountability, noting that legal frameworks are only effective when properly implemented.
Usman criticised discriminatory practices against women in public institutions, including policies requiring female public servants to obtain spousal consent before accessing official housing. She also faulted the denial of maternity leave to unmarried women, describing such practices as harmful and counterproductive.
The conference, themed “Innovate, Influence, Impact: Accelerating Young Women’s Roles in National Development,” brought together stakeholders from government agencies, leadership organisations, and youth development groups to discuss strategies for expanding opportunities for women in leadership and governance.
The event was organised by the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre in collaboration with several partners, including the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and other public and private institutions committed to women and youth empowerment.
