The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has said investing in women is not a luxury but a necessary strategic move to engender development in any society.
Speaker Abbas said empowered women can take Nigeria, or any other country, to greater heights.
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“By investing in our women, we secure a brighter tomorrow and establish a legacy of advancement and justice for future generations,” he said.
The Speaker noted this in Abuja on Thursday at the Nigerian Women Leadership and Empowerment Conference 2025, themed: ‘Investing in Nigerian Women, Securing Our Future.’
Prominent women at the event include the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented by Hajiya Fatima Abbas, wife of the Speaker; Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Alhaja Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim; Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara; Chairman/Chief Executive, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, female top officers of military and paramilitary agencies, and diplomats, among many others.
At the event organised by the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, in conjunction with the Women International Magazine, the Speaker was honoured for his campaigns for women inclusion in governance and politics.
Speaker Abbas, who said the theme of the event is both apt and timely, appreciated the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and the Second Lady, Hajiya Nana Kashim Shettima, for their “steadfast dedication to improving the economic and political conditions of women in Nigeria.”
He said: “In our present global and domestic context, investing in Nigerian women is not a luxury but a strategic imperative. Empowerment drives economic growth, fortifies food security, and strengthens the core of our communities. When we invest in our women, we invest in our farms, our markets, and in every child’s future.
“We have seen Rwanda set a powerful precedent by using gender quotas to propel more women into positions of power, yielding progressive legislation and community transformation. We have also witnessed how microfinance initiatives in Bangladesh revitalised local economies by enabling women to become successful entrepreneurs.
“These examples should galvanise us to create a future in which Nigerian women, equipped with the necessary resources and opportunities, can elevate our nation to extraordinary heights.”
While noting that Nigeria’s history is replete with courageous women whose remarkable contributions have shaped the country’s trajectory, Speaker Abbas noted that the pioneering women of the past broke barriers with steadfast resolve, laid the foundation for the progress we witness today.
He added that their legacies “urge us to continue the vital work of forging an inclusive, just, and prosperous nation, one grounded in constitutional ideals of equality and social welfare.” He stressed that their stories “remind us that we must not only dream of a better future but also act decisively to create it, ensuring that every Nigerian woman can thrive.”
Despite the achievements being celebrated, the Speaker stated that significant challenges persist, including discriminatory social norms, limited access to education and economic marginalisation constrain the vast potential of women. He decried that nearly 60 per cent of African women lack basic literacy skills — “a stark barrier to both personal advancement and national development.”
Speaker Abbas also faulted women’s underrepresentation in our political institutions. He recalled now he, earlier on Monday, led a sensitisation campaign on drug abuse and gender-based violence in Kaduna, “reflecting my unwavering resolve that our women must be not only safe but also empowered to succeed in all spheres of life.”
He said: “Additionally, only yesterday, I formally requested our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to include all its female members in the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), resulting in four women now holding NEC positions. Such measures are vital to guaranteeing that women’s perspectives actively inform the legislative framework and policy directions guiding our national development.”
The Speaker noted that the House, in its Legislative Agenda, advocates legislative reforms that reintroduce special seats for women in the parliaments and mandate quotas within political parties, thereby securing meaningful representation for women in public office.
“I call upon all state Houses of Assembly to endorse these proposals when they come forward in the Constitution amendment process. By doing so, we uphold the Constitution’s mandate to foster social welfare and equality for every citizen,” he said.
While stating that the 10th House remains firmly committed to securing justice and equity for Nigerian women, in line with the Constitution’s ideals, Speaker Abbas declared that the chamber shall continue to “exercise diligent oversight of government institutions to ensure adherence to the National Gender Policy, bolster the women’s caucus to champion gender-specific issues effectively, and support electoral reforms that ensure a fixed quota of female candidates while providing special seats for women in both the Senate and the House.”
The Speaker added that the House will enact robust legislation to safeguard women in politics from violence and intimidation, thereby aligning our political framework with the Constitution’s principles of fairness and freedom. “Concurrently, the ongoing amendments to the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) aim to address contemporary challenges and fortify women’s rights,” he said.