Alarming Gender Disparity: Women Comprise Only 4% Of National Assembly Members
By Oludare Joshua
A recent report by Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR) reveals a stark gender imbalance in Nigeria’s legal and governance sectors, with women making up just 4% of National Assembly members, 23% of Supreme Court justices, and 4% of Senior Advocates of Nigeria. These figures are highlighted in the 2025 WILMP Needs Assessment Report and underscore the urgent need for initiatives aimed at bridging this gender gap.
In response to these disparities, WISCAR, supported by the Gates Foundation, has launched the Women in Law Mentoring Programme (WILMP). This initiative is designed to empower emerging female leaders through mentorship, skill development, and expanded access to professional networks.
The WILMP was officially unveiled at a ceremony in Lagos, targeting young women engaged in public legal practice, lawmaking, and governance. The programme aims to increase female representation in leadership positions to 35% by the year 2027.
Spanning six months, the programme will provide capacity-building workshops, leadership training, and strategic mentoring to address the barriers to mentorship and professional networking. Notably, over half of the surveyed women reported a lack of access to these critical resources.
Amina Oyagbola, WISCAR’s chairperson and founder, emphasized the importance of gender equality for national development during the launch. “Empowering women and promoting gender equality are not just moral imperatives—they are essential for national progress,” she stated. “We are building the foundation for a new generation of value-driven female leaders across the judiciary, legislature, executive, academia, and private legal practice.”
Read Also:
10TH NASS ASSEMBLY: Remo MHR, Rep. Oriyomi Onanuga Faults APC, Laments Exclusion Of Women
The programme aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, delivered a goodwill message, applauding WISCAR’s initiative as “a critical pathway to inclusive justice.” She noted, “The legal system cannot reach its full potential unless women are equally represented and heard.” She encouraged the mentees, stating, “To every mentee in this programme, you are the future of the profession, the future judges, lawmakers, and nation-builders.”
The inaugural WILMP cohort welcomed 150 mentees, including Katherine Kpanja, who expressed enthusiasm about learning from established professionals in her field: “I believe this programme will allow me to learn directly from high-ranking professionals succeeding in the path I aspire to follow.”
The event attracted a range of stakeholders from Nigeria’s legal, governance, and corporate sectors. Notable attendees included Justice Mujibat Iyabode Oshodi, human rights lawyer Ayo Obe, Senior Partner at Primera Africa Legal Boma Alabi (SAN), and many others committed to fostering gender-inclusive leadership.
The Women in Law Mentoring Programme represents WISCAR’s broader mission to enhance gender equality in leadership roles, paving the way for a more equitable future for women in Nigeria.
