IWD: FG, celebrates Nigerian women, call for action on rights, justice

…Akpabio , Oluremi Tinubu, others urge women empowerment
…NLC declares new battle for gender justice
By Henry Umoru, Victor Ahiuma-Young, Vincent Ujumadu ,Gabriel Ewepu & Favour Ulebor

The Federal Government has joined the rest of the world to celebrate Nigerian women as the global community marks the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD), calling for stronger actions to protect the rights of women and girls and remove barriers limiting their progress.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government said this year’s theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” highlights the urgent need to dismantle discriminatory laws, harmful social norms and systemic inequalities that hinder women’s full participation in society.

According to the ministry, women and girls make up nearly half of Nigeria’s population and play vital roles in economic growth, peacebuilding and sustainable development.

“From farms and markets to boardrooms and diplomatic corridors, Nigerian women continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience, innovation and leadership,” the statement said, adding that the government remains committed to strengthening legal frameworks against gender-based violence, expanding access to education and healthcare and promoting women’s participation in decision-making.

Akpabio

Also, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, congratulated Nigerian women on the occasion.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio said, among others, “I congratulate the Nigerian Woman on the auspicious occasion of this year’s International Women’s Day. I respect and cherish your strength, resilience and invaluable contributions to our nation.

“As a legislature and in consonance with the theme of this year’s celebration, “Give and Gain”, we are committed to pushing for robust investment in our womenfolk in all spheres of life, especially female participation in the economic and political processes of our nation.

Oluremi Tinubu

Similarly, Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, called for greater empowerment of women and girls, describing it as a strategic investment in the nation’s future.

“Empowering women is not an act of charity; it is an investment in our collective future. When women rise, Nigeria rises,” she said while celebrating the achievements of women across the country.

Also lending her voice, Ondo State First Lady, Seun Aiyedatiwa, urged women to uplift one another through mentorship, collaboration and support for younger generations.

NLC

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, declared that the struggle for gender justice in Nigeria has entered a new phase, warning that women’s patience over discrimination and exploitation has reached its limit.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said the labour movement was mobilising workers nationwide to push for gender equality, and economic empowerment and stronger protections against violence and discrimination.

“The patience of the Nigerian woman is exhausted. The days of symbolic celebrations while our sisters die in childbirth and our daughters face insecurity and poverty are over,” Ajaero said.

He called for affirmative action to increase women’s representation in governance, the elimination of the gender pay gap, provision of crèche facilities at workplaces and stricter enforcement of laws against sexual harassment and gender-based violence.

Also raising concern, ActionAid Nigeria revealed that about 35.65 million Nigerian women have experienced physical violence, while 10.35 million have suffered sexual violence, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics.

Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, said women hold less than four per cent of seats in the National Assembly, stressing the need for the passage of the proposed Special Seats Bill to improve women’s political representation.

Similarly, Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA) called for stronger enforcement of laws protecting women, stressing that equality before the law must translate into real justice.

“Justice is what transforms rights from mere words into real power. Without justice, rights remain promises on paper,” the organisation said.

WELA also highlighted the Federal Government’s initiative through the National Health Insurance Authority to provide free Caesarean Sections in over 100 hospitals nationwide, describing it as a step toward improving maternal healthcare but urging effective implementation.

Stakeholders agreed that while progress has been made, sustained policy actions and societal reforms are needed to address discrimination, violence and economic marginalisation affecting women and girls across Nigeria.

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