President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday 14 April 2022 expressed support for the judgment on the 35 per cent affirmative action ruled in favour of Nigerian Women.

This was disclosed by the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline K Tallen OFR KSG at a World Press conference in Abuja. Tallen assured Nigerian women of the President’s commitment in ensuring the implementation of the 35 percent affirmative action.

The Plantiffs in a joint statement noted that the judgement was an assurance that the rights of women are recognized in Nigeria. Mufuliat Fijabi CEO Nigerian Women Trust Fund “there’s more work to be done in facilitating a successful implementation of the 35 percent Affirmative Action for Nigerian Women in appointive positions”

On 6 April 2022, a landmark judgement was delivered by Justice Donatus Okorowo stating and enforcing the provisions of the National Gender Policy of 2006 following the suit filed by the plantiffs.

The suit was led by
Nigerian Women Trust Fund. Other co-plaintiffs are Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA), Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD- WEST AFRICA) Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) Vision Spring Initiatives (VSI) Women in Politics Forum, YIAGA Africa, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and 100 Women Lobby Group.

Nigerian and International media were acknowledged for the role played in giving visibility to the case all through the litigation process.

The World Press conference was organised by
Women Radio 91.7 in partnership with Nigerian Women Trust Fund.

Signed
Esther Alaribe
Women Radio 91.7
14/04/2022