NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN SOCIETIES (NCWS), NIGERIAREPORT ON THE NATIONAL WOMEN CONVENTION ON THE NATIONAL ROADMAP FOR THE 2027 GENERAL ELECTIONS
- Introduction
The National Council of Women Societies participated actively in the National Women Convention on the National Roadmap for the 2027 General Elections, convened under the theme “Beyond the Special Seats.”
The convention brought together key stakeholders, including women leaders, policymakers, civil society organizations, and political actors to deliberate on strategies for enhancing women’s participation and representation in Nigeria’s democratic processes.
The event provided a strategic platform for advancing discussions beyond affirmative action and special seat allocations, with a focus on sustainable, inclusive, and merit-based political participation for women across all levels of governance.
- Role of the National President, National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS), Nigeria
The National President National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Nigeria Princess Edna D. D. Azura (Kwatam Mutaku), played a central role in shaping the tone and direction of the convention.
In her opening address, she:
• Emphasized the urgent need to transition from symbolic inclusion to actionable frameworks that ensure real political power for women
• Articulated a clear vision for women to move beyond reliance on special seats
• Encouraged women to actively compete, lead, and influence governance structures
• Called for unity and strategic collaboration among stakeholders
Her leadership provided clarity, purpose, and a strong call to action for participants.
- Objectives of the Convention
The convention sought to achieve the following:
• Develop a comprehensive national roadmap to increase women’s political participation in the 2027 general elections
• Identify systemic barriers limiting women’s access to elective positions
• Promote capacity building, leadership development, and political education
• Strengthen advocacy for gender-responsive policies and electoral reforms
• Foster partnerships among stakeholders to support women candidates
- Key Deliberations
Participants engaged in extensive discussions across key thematic areas:
• Political Inclusion Beyond Quotas: Emphasis on empowering women to win elections competitively rather than relying solely on reserved seats
• Electoral Reforms: Advocacy for legal and institutional changes to address high nomination fees, political violence, and discrimination
• Capacity Building: Highlighting the need for continuous training in leadership, campaign management, and political negotiation
• Funding and Support Mechanisms: Recognition of the need for financial inclusion and dedicated funding support for women candidates
• Grassroots Mobilization: Strategies for engaging women at the grassroots to build strong political constituencies
- Outcomes and Resolutions
The convention recorded the following key outcomes:
• Adoption of a National Women’s Political Roadmap for the 2027 General Elections, with defined strategies and timelines
• Commitment to sustained advocacy for gender-sensitive electoral reforms
• Establishment of a multi-stakeholder task force to monitor implementation of the roadmap
• Agreement to intensify voter education and mobilization efforts among women nationwide
• Strengthened collaboration among government institutions, civil society, and women’s organizations
- Conclusion
The National Women Convention represents a significant milestone in redefining women’s political participation in Nigeria. By focusing on the theme “Beyond the Special Seats,” the convention reinforced the need to transition from symbolic representation to substantive leadership and influence.
The active involvement of NCWS Nigeria further strengthened the credibility and impact of the convention, aligning with its mandate to promote the advancement and full participation of women in national development.
The convention not only inspired renewed commitment but also provided a clear and actionable pathway toward achieving greater gender equality in the 2027 general elections.
- Recommendations
In line with the outcomes of the convention, NCWS Nigeria recommends the following:
• Continuous engagement with policymakers to ensure implementation of proposed electoral reforms
• Increased investment in women’s political education and leadership development programmes
• Establishment of sustainable funding mechanisms to support women candidates
• Strengthening alliances across political parties, civil society, and women’s groups
• Regular monitoring and evaluation of progress toward the 2027 electoral goals
