Nigerians in 28 states will be going to the polls again to elect governors for their states. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), 24 female candidates will feature in the election.

The 24 female governorship candidates are as follow:
Adamawa state
Dahiru Ahmed Aishatu(Binani)
All Progressives Congress (APC)
A graduate of Electrical Engineering from University of Southampton UK
APC Senator representing Adamawa Central senatorial district in the 9th Assembly
Represented Yola North/Yola South/Girei federal constituency as a member of the People’s Democratic Party in the 7th Assembly
Politician, Entrepreneur and Founder of Binani Nigeria Limited

Abia State
Gladys Ikonnaya Johnson-Ogbuneke
Social Democratic Party (SDP)
Politician & businesswoman
A graduate of the College of Medicine from University of Nigeria, Nsukka where she obtained her MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery)
A Businesswoman and politician

Abia State
Lancaster -Okoro
Nnennaya Ngwamma
People’s Redemption Party (PRP)
A chartered accountant

Akwa-Ibom State
Ekanem Abasiekeme
Mfonobong
Action Alliance Party (AAP)
Business woman
Graduate of Chemistry from the University of Uyo
Founder of Sengah Life Foundation

Akwa Ibom
Udoh Emem Monday
Social Democratic Party (SDP)
An expert in integrated reservoir modelling
An asset development strategist, Petroleum and Technical Reservoir Simulation

Benue State
Chenge Roseline Ada
Action Democratic Party (ADP)
2007 Benue State gubernatorial aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party
2015 Benue State gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress
First female Northern Nigerian mechanical engineer
First female Managing Director of Benue State Water Board
First female Managing Director of the 12 River Basins in the country
A fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Engineer

Benue State
Dabo Adzuana Aondona
Sharon Fumi Catherine
Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
A businesswoman and Politician
Former lawmaker represented Jachira Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives 2003 & 2007

Borno State
Abubakar Fatima
Action Democratic Party (ADP)

Crossriver State
Ibiang Marikana Stanley
Action Democratic Party (ADP)

Delta State
Onokiti Helen Agboola
Accord Party
An Entrepreneur

Delta State
Cosmas Annabel
All People’s Party (APP)
An Entrepreneur
Obtained a Higher Diploma in Industrial Relations & Personnel Management from University of Ibadan

Ebonyi State
Igwe Chinenye Judith
Allied People’s Movement (APM)

Enugu State
Nweze Pearl Ogochukwu
Social Democratic Party (SDP)
Holds an OND in marketing from Institute of Management and Technology Enugu

Jigawa State
Umar Binta Yahaya
Action Alliance (AA)
An entrepreneur
Founder Mainstream Yahaya Academy
Diploma in Public Administration Jigawa State Polytechnic

Kano State
Yakubu Furera Ahmad
Boot Party (BP)
An Entrepreneur

Kano State
Mahmud Aishatu
National Rescue Movement (NRM)

Kwara State
Jaiyeola Motunrayo Deborah
Allied People’s Movement (APM)
An Entrepreneur

Lagos State
Kupoliyi Funmilayo A
Allied People’s Movement (APM)
Entrepreneur
Graduate of Business Administration from Ogun State Polytechnic

Lagos State
Adeyemi Abiola Roseline
All People’s Party (APP)
Businesswoman
Bachelor of Science Economics from Imo State University
Masters in Human Resources and Industrial Relations from Lagos State University

Nassarawa State
Tsakpa Patricia Danlami
Action Democratic Party (ADP)
Bachelor of Education from University of Jos
Master’s Degree in Administration and Planning from National Open University

Niger State
Abdullahi-Iya Khadijah
All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
Lawyer & certified Gender-based Violence specialist
A Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC)
A Certified Management Consultant (CMC)
LLB from the University of Abuja and Masters in Law & Diplomacy University of Jos
Executive Director of Peaches Confections Ltd
President Women Community in Africa
CEO of SI Magazine Ltd
Founder Beyond Mentors Inc

Oyo State
Euba Aduragbemi
Young Progressives Party (YPP)
An Entrepreneur and fashion designer
Graduate of International Relations from Lead City University
Diploma in Public Relations from Ogun State University now Olabisi Onabanjo University
Diploma in styling and fashion from London College of Fashion

Rivers State
Itubo Beatrice
Labour Party (LP)
Chairman of Rivers State council of the Nigerian Labour Congress
Former Chairperson of the Medical and Health Worker Union of Nigeria, Rivers state branch
Former Treasurer of the Nigeria Labour Congress River State
Pioneer Board Member of the Primary Healthcare Management Board

Zamfara State
Hadiza Usman
Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)

This report is compiled by Esther Alaribe in Lagos for Women Radio and Sidi Aliyu in Abuja for Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation