The much-awaited ministerial list of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has 7 women making the first batch of nominations representing 25%. Section 14(3) of the 1999 constitution states, “The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few States or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or any of its agencies”. 

7 Female Ministerial Nominees 

Women Radio congratulates the 7 women who made the first ministerial list of President Tinubu while acknowledging as heroes the state governors that nominated the women. The trajectory of the women in different sectors tells a story of resilience and commitment to the wins of Nigeria.

ONYEJEOCHA

54-year-old Hon. Nkeiruka Chidubem Onyejeocha, is a high-ranking member of the House of Representatives who served 4 times in Nigeria’s Green Chambers. Onyejeocha cosponsored a bill for additional 111 seats for women at the National Assembly. In 2003 she served in the executive cabinet of Abia state government as commissioner for resource management and manpower development. Onyejeocha was recognised as the most vibrant female legislator in Nigeria by the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASSAN) during the 7th Assembly. A politician and lawmaker who represented Isuikwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency of Abia State was recently inducted into Nigeria’s women hall of Fame by the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development.KENNEDY-OHANENYE

50-year-old Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye is a lawyer, entrepreneur and the only female presidential aspirant of the APC in the 2023 elections.

EDU

36-year-old Betta Edu is the national women leader of the All-Progressive Congress. Edu was the former Cross River State commissioner for Health and once held the position of the national chair of Nigeria Health Commissioners Forum. Edu was the youngest person to be appointed special adviser to the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Benedict Ayade on community and primary healthcare. 

OKOTETE

38-year-old Hon. Stella Okotete served as interim national women leader of the All-Progressives Party and served as special assistant and adviser to the Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Okotete holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies and Diplomacy from Benson Idahosa University, a Diploma in Law from the Rivers State College of Arts and Sciences and a master’s degree in public administration and Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution. Okotete is the Executive Director, Business Development at Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) 

UZOKA-ANITE

56-year-old Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite is a medical doctor and chartered financial analyst. Uzoka-Anite was former commissioner for finance and coordinating economy in Imo State under the administration of Gov. Hope Uzodinma. Uzoka- Anite was former general manager of Zenith Bank Plc

MUSAWA

43-year-old Hannatu Musawa is a barrister and women rights activist and politician holds a degree in law from the University of Buckingham, UK and a Postgraduate master’s degree in the Legal Aspects of Marine Affairs from the University of Cardiff, Wales. She holds a master’s degree Holder in Oil and Gas Law from the University of Aberdeen. 

SULAIMAN-IBRAHIM

 Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim is the honourable federal commissioner at national commission for Refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons. She was former director-general of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and special adviser on strategic communication to the minister of state for education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba

Past Presidents & Women Representation

The highest representation of women since the fourth republic was 32.5% under President Goodluck Jonathan. President Buhari appointed 17% and 16% of women respectively in 2015 and 2019. President Olusegun Obasanjo had only 9 women after noting that only two state governments sent names of women for appointment. 

Nigerian Women Salute Tinubu

Looking at this data, the administration of Goodluck Jonathan had achieved more in female inclusion. Nigerian women are keenly watching and hoping that affirmative action will reflect in the appointment of women in Ministries, Departments and Agencies by the Tinubu-led administration. 

Ebere Ifendu, President Women in Politics Forum said “There are two sides to this appointment, one is on the quality, character and capacity of the women nominated. Nigerian women are grateful to President Tinubu for nominating highly qualified women as ministers. On the second aspect being affirmative action as promised and in line with the motion moved by Hon Billy Osawaru and supported by majority members in the House of Representatives, we expected the list to have a minimum of 35% but we got 25%. More names will be sent to the Senate and we hope to get more women nominated to make up 35%. We are grateful but we expect more female nominations. I congratulate the female ministerial nominees; we believe in their ability and commitment to good governance and we ask that they be duly supported especially in the course of screening by the Senate.”

Reacting to the nominations, Ejiro Umukoro Publisher and CEO LightRay Media noted that “There is an existing court order that mandates the federal government to implement the 35 per cent affirmative action for women. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s list falls short of that, out of 28 names you only have 7 women who were nominated which is 25 per cent of that number, this is not enough representation and Nigeria is a country where we have so many women who have the capacity, intellectuals, technocrats, industrialists, who have also run businesses, experts and they deserve to be there. For the expected supplementary list which will be added to this existing list of ministerial nominations, the list must carry a higher percentage of women.”

Adaora Onyechere Sydney-Jack, Executive Director Gender Strategy and Advancement Intl noted that “The List is a first step, at 25% we are still far from the benchmark of 35% yet not too far from reaching the goal. The President has shown the political will to advance inclusion with his action ad not just lip service. There is hope as we await the remaining set of names and the appointments into board positions.

Chikas Kumle, PDP member & gender advocate reacting to the ministerial list reacted “I am happy that out of the 28 names submitted, 7 of those names are women. The list has an unprecedented record of young women in their thirties, Dr Betta Edu and Hon Stella Okotete who are 36 and 38 respectively on the ministerial list. This is a giant feat and I am greatly impressed that the President is not just only looking for women to occupy seats but he is including diverse age groups, with the inclusion of women who have significant contributions to national development. Though the list has fallen short of 35 per cent but I hope the second list will have more women and the appointment of top government agencies will reflect more women inclusion and other board appointments. 

Ene Ede, a gender & development advocate says “I can see a good demographic spread of men, women, young and old on the list but I am not happy with the 25% percentage of women. President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope should give us more women, young and persons with disabilities. All eyes are on Nigeria. We know the track record of the President and he should deliver”.

According to Toun Okewale Sonaiya, CEO of Women Radio “We must recognise, salute and thank the governors of Abia, Anambra, Cross River, Delta, Imo, Katsina and Nasarawa states for helping us achieve a 25% inclusion in the President’s first list. These are women with character who are capable and competent to accelerate Nigeria’s development alongside their male ministers. I appeal to every woman irrespective of her political interest, tribe and faith to encourage and support our women in governance. 

Women Radio lauds President Bola Ahmed for his commitment to inclusion in the first list and the recognition of Nigerian women as worthy contributors to the growth and development of Nigeria. We hope the supplementary list will achieve a 35% affirmative action.

Esther Alaribe

Women Radio 91.7

news@wfm917.com