2027: Centre LSD trains female politicians, decries discriminatory political structures against women

… Says Nigerian women grossly underrepresented in political leadership

Ahead of the 2027 general election, the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) has organized a training for female politicians, especially those who will be flying tickets of their respective political parties at different levels.

The Centre said Nigerian women remain grossly underrepresented in political leadership, face discriminatory political structures, unequal access to campaign financing, political violence, harmful social norms and limited access to influential political networks, hence the need to empower them to remain relevant in political space.

Speaking at an intersectional women’s leadership and governance incubator training, on Thursday in Abuja, the founding Executive Director, Centre LSD, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, said Nigerian society must move beyond merely encouraging women to participate in politics but deliberately transform the political structures, institutions and practices that prevent women from exercising power and influence.

The training is organized under the “Women Can Lead Project” which is a 24-month initiative designed to strengthen women’s leadership, participation and influence in governance and decision-making.

According to him, women must move from participation to influence. It is not enough to attend political meetings or occupy symbolic positions. Women must influence party decisions, candidate selection, policy formulation, resource allocation and governance outcomes.

“Women must move from individual ambition to collective power. Political success requires solidarity, networks, alliances, mentoring and mutual support. Women must support one another across political, generational and social divides while building strategic alliances with men who are committed to gender equality.

“Third, women must move from training to action. The success of this incubator will not be measured by the number of certificates issued but by the number of women who become more politically effective, secure leadership opportunities, influence decisions and ultimately win elective positions.”

Speaking on the compelling reasons why women can and must lead, Dr. Igbuzor said leadership is about capacity, competence, character and vision, not gender.

He added that women constitute approximately half of the population, bring important experiences and perspectives to governance, have demonstrated leadership capacity across the world and in Nigeria and inclusive leadership strengthens governance and development.

“Yet, despite these realities, Nigerian women remain grossly underrepresented in political leadership. They face discriminatory political structures, unequal access to campaign financing, political violence, harmful social norms and limited access to influential political networks.

“We must therefore move beyond merely encouraging women to participate. We must deliberately transform the political structures, institutions and practices that prevent women from exercising power and influence.”

In her keynote speech, the President of Women in Politics, Barrister Ebere Ifendu, described Gender-Based Violence as not only a problem of politics but also a weapon against women in politics.

Ifendu, who was represented at the event by Ms Charity Anaja, said women who step into political life face violence that is physical, psychological, sexual, economic and increasingly digital.

She lamented physical intimidation and attacks at party primaries, rallies, campaign events and polling units, sometimes by hired thugs and sometimes by those within their own parties.

“Sexual harassment and coercion, including the unspoken expectation that political support or party tickets come at a personal price.

“Character assassination and online abuse, where a woman’s morality, marriage, dress and family are attacked, instead of her ideas and her record.

“Economic violence, from denial of campaign funding to exclusion from the informal networks where political deals are made.

“Harassment of their families, including threats against their children and pressure from husbands, relatives and communities to withdraw.

“Institutional violence, which includes being sidelined in party structures, shut out of committee leadership and ignored in plenary.”

Speaking on the essence of the training, Pastor Praise Enang, Acting Director of Development at Centre LSD and Project Lead of the Women Can Lead Project, said the training is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills to navigate political systems, build collective influence and advance their leadership aspirations.

She explained that the programme would provide a platform for women politicians to deepen their understanding of political processes and strengthen their skills in negotiation, advocacy, public speaking, political strategy, and collective action.

She added that the intervention seeks to address persistent barriers to women’s meaningful participation in politics and governance, including restrictive political party structures, limited access to political networks and inadequate strategic support.

The training will feature expert-led sessions on negotiation and advocacy, focusing on practical approaches to influencing political decisions and advancing women’s interests; public speaking, with emphasis on communicating confidently and effectively in political and public spaces; and political party membership, political strategy, and collective power, exploring how women can navigate party structures, identify political opportunities, and build collective influence.

In her goodwill message, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, Chair, House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, said women have demonstrated their capacity in public service, business, Law, Banking sector, education, community development, politics and virtually every sphere of human endeavour.

“The important question is: Are we creating the institutional, political and social conditions that allow women to participate meaningfully, compete fairly and exercise leadership

“Women representation in elective and appointive positions have remained low and does not reflect our that our Numerical strength is being used to our advantage in any way.

“This imbalance is speaks to persistent structural, cultural, economic and institutional barriers that continue to limit women’s access to political opportunities.”