Nigeria Needs More Women in Leadership: A Conversation with Gill Lever, British Deputy High Commissioner

The underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s political space remains a pressing concern, with calls for legislative reforms and broader societal change growing louder. In an exclusive interview on Women Radio 91.7, British Deputy High Commissioner Gill Lever delves into the importance of women’s leadership, gender equity, and the role of partnerships between the UK and Nigeria in addressing these issues.

Speaking with host Toun Okewale Sonaiya, Lever discusses the UK’s efforts to support women’s political participation, strengthen bilateral ties, and foster economic growth. The conversation also touches on barriers such as visa challenges for Nigerians and highlights opportunities for collaboration in areas like education, creative industries, and entrepreneurship.

Toun Talks to Gill

Toun: It’s Monday, the 24th February 2025. My name is Toun Okewale Sonaiya, and it’s a huge pleasure to have with us in the studio, Gill Lever, the Deputy British High Commissioner. She’s here live with us. Hi, how are you, Gill?

Gill Lever: I’m fine, thanks, Toun. Thank you for having me on the show. It’s a great privilege to be here on your 10th year and to engage with your audience.

Toun: Thank you very much. How was your trip from Abuja?

Gill Lever: Fine, very smooth.

Why Women’s Political Empowerment Matters

Toun: You’ve always shown interest in women’s political empowerment and legislative reforms like the Special Seats Bill. What draws you to these kinds of issues?

Gill Lever: First of all, it’s personal. I’m a woman who’s had the opportunity to take leadership positions and serve my country both in the UK and overseas. I’m one of four sisters, and my mother was also one of four sisters. I have a daughter, as well as a son. So, I’m a vocal advocate for women’s causes, particularly political empowerment. I believe we need more women in leadership positions to build a more inclusive and just society. Evidence shows that women’s political empowerment isn’t just the right thing to do morally—it’s also the smart thing to do. I’m passionate about Nigeria’s potential as a global player. Half of Nigeria’s population is female, but in the National Assembly, for every woman, there are 22 men. This imbalance needs to change. I don’t want Nigeria to be at the bottom of the global league table for women’s political representation, next to countries like Afghanistan.

Legislative Reforms for Gender Equity

Toun: Around the world, countries have used different approaches to increase women’s representation. Why do you think legislative reforms like the Special Seats Bill are important for Nigeria?

Gill Lever: Good question. Several countries have had success with electoral reform. Rwanda, for example, leads in women’s representation, while Uganda has adopted a different approach. We’ve worked with civil society and NGOs to determine what could work best for Nigeria and came up with the Special Seats Bill. It fits Nigeria’s first-past-the-post system, unlike other models from Rwanda or Uganda. In short, the Special Seats Bill would add 37 additional women senators, 30 women representatives, and 108 women in state assemblies nationwide. These are additional seats, so women wouldn’t compete against men for the same positions. This intervention would be time-limited, with a sunset clause. After four electoral cycles, we’d hope that women’s representation would be mainstreamed without the need for these special seats.

Beyond Legislation: Addressing Systemic Barriers

Toun: I hope this works because having only four female senators isn’t good enough for us. Beyond legislation, what other factors need to be addressed to make Nigeria’s political space truly inclusive for women?

Gill Lever: Excellent question. First, President Tinubu’s economic growth agenda aims to grow Nigeria’s economy and create jobs. Research by McKinsey shows that if more women were brought into political life, African economies could grow by 10% of their GDP. In Nigeria specifically, the GDP could increase by 10 to 20% with more women in politics. Women’s involvement leads to better policies around education, healthcare, family welfare, poverty reduction, more accountability, and less corruption. We also need male allies, HeForShe, for example, where men in positions of influence champion women’s causes. At the grassroots level, we need women supporting women, SheForShe, because women often become their own biggest critics. Mentorship also plays a vital role. Women need mentors, whether male or female, who can champion their causes and help them advance. Finally, the media needs to challenge stereotypes around women in politics and portray strong female role models in film, TV, and other platforms.

UK-Nigeria Educational Partnerships and Visa Reforms

Toun: Now, let’s talk about education. Many Nigerians see the UK as a top destination for education and work. What efforts are being made to improve the visa process?

Gill Lever: Visas always come up! You’re right, so many Nigerian young people want to study in the UK. We have 17 of the world’s top-ranked universities, and despite our economy being only 2% of global GDP, we are a global leader in higher education. In the year to September 2024, we issued 177,000 visas to Nigerians for work, study, and visits. Nigeria is among the top three or four countries applying for UK visas. Between 71% and 90% of visa applications are approved, depending on the category. We’re moving to an e-visa system soon, making it easier for applicants to get their visas without physically stamping their passports. We’re also offering faster visa processing options and working on preventing scams. We hope to see similar improvements from Nigeria’s visa system so that more British businesses can invest in Nigeria.

Supporting Nigeria’s Education System

Toun: That’s great to hear. How is the UK supporting Nigeria’s education sector?

Gill Lever: We have strong higher education partnerships, which continue to grow. In November last year, the Department for Business and Trade led a Transnational Education Mission to Nigeria with 11 UK universities. This mission ran alongside the British Council’s Going Global conference, aimed at forging closer ties between our higher education systems. We’re now looking to create partnerships for research and curriculum design while developing better regulatory frameworks for UK universities in Nigeria.

Boosting Nigeria’s Creative Industries

Toun: Speaking of partnerships, how is the UK supporting Nigeria’s creative industries?

Gill Lever: The creative industries are a major focus for us. We’re committed to a strategic partnership that benefits both countries. Recently, we’ve had two creative trade missions to Nigeria, focusing on film production, TV, fashion, retail, and beauty. We’re working toward an MOU to promote collaboration in these sectors. Our Foreign Secretary, during his visit in November, visited Artex to see Nigeria’s creativity firsthand. We’re proud of our collaborations and are committed to supporting this fast-growing sector.

A Taste of Nigeria: Jollof Rice and More

Toun: On a lighter note, have you tasted Nigerian jollof rice?

Gill Lever: Of course! Hasn’t everyone? It’s the best in West Africa.

Toun: The best in Africa, you mean! (laughs)

Strengthening UK-Nigeria Bilateral Relations

Toun: How can the UK and Nigeria strengthen their bilateral relations going forward?

Gill Lever: First, through partnership and mutual respect. In today’s world, where discourse can sometimes be divisive, we value the longstanding relationship between our countries. Our leaders have fostered strong connections. For instance, our King met with President Tinubu in September last year, and there have been nine high-level visits from the UK to Nigeria since then. One of the areas where we’d like to collaborate more is economic growth. Nigeria is currently our second-largest trading partner in Africa after South Africa, with total trade in goods and services valued at £7.5 billion. We see potential for growth in sectors such as education, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure, IT, and the creative industries. We hope to strengthen these ties and help Nigeria become our biggest trading partner in Africa.

Toun: Before I have your final words, there’s something I just want to mention that Africa’s economy will grow when women are involved, and I want to seize this opportunity to urge the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to champion the Special Seats Bill.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, please champion the Special Seats Bill. If you do, then we will have more women. Our economy will grow, and this will align with your mandate.

Toun: Gill, this is the first time you’re visiting a radio station in Nigeria. Thank you for making Women Radio the first. We are the only radio station dedicated to women and their families. We do a lot of firsts. So thank you for visiting Women Radio. Your final words?

Final Words of Appreciation

Toun: Thank you so much, Gill Lever, British Deputy High Commissioner, for joining us on Women Radio 91.7 today.

Gill Lever: Thank you, Toun. It’s been a real pleasure.