The League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) has restated its determination to strengthen women’s participation and leadership in the country’s political process, as it held its Annual General Meeting, National Conference, and Founder’s Day Dinner in Abuja with the theme, “The Power of Women’s Voices and Votes: A Critical Tool for Electoral Victory.”
On day two of the event, while presenting the organisation’s Activity Report for November 2024 to October 2025, NILOWV National President, Hon. Irene Awunah Ikyegh, highlighted major gains in advocacy, partnerships and institutional engagement, which she said were helping to expand the political space for Nigerian women and protect them from violence.
Hon. Ikyegh revealed that NILOWV had in the past year consolidated several strategic collaborations with key national institutions — notably the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.
Under this partnership, the Speaker formally recognised NILOWV as “the primary mobilisation platform for women’s political participation in Nigeria,” and established a Strategic Advocacy Committee on women’s participation with NILOWV serving as Chair and Spokesperson.
“This marks a historic milestone for women’s inclusion in national decision-making,” Ikyegh declared.
She also acknowledged NILOWV’s strengthened engagement with the House Committee on Women Affairs, chaired by Hon. Buka Fila-Togbara, a NILOWV member from the Lagos Chapter. The group is now submitting policy memos and participating in legislative consultations affecting women’s rights and representation.
The NILOWV President further reported on progress in the organisation’s collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to combat gender-based violence (GBV) in politics.
She recalled the case of Hon. Guna Natingi from Benue State, a NILOWV member and political candidate who faced harassment and intimidation during the 2023 elections — which prompted the creation of a dedicated GBV Desk at the NHRC to handle cases of abuse against women in politics.
“This ensures that in every state, NILOWV members can now engage NHRC offices to report and address any form of political violence or discrimination,” she noted.
Hon. Ikyegh also praised the achievements recorded under NILOWV’s ongoing partnership with UN Women through the “Advanced Women in Leadership Project.” The initiative focuses on championing gender bills, building women’s leadership capacity, and mobilising grassroots participation in governance.
She commended state chapters for their ingenuity and impact, revealing that some chapters mobilised six times their expected turnout at town hall meetings despite limited funds.
Despite challenges posed by UN’s strict financial reporting system, NILOWV, she said, implemented sensitisation and advocacy projects worth nearly ₦500 million with only ₦100 million in direct funding, a feat she described as “a miracle of passion, prudence, and purpose.”
Ikyegh emphasised that NILOWV’s partnerships are not limited to Abuja but extend to state and community levels, urging coordinators to leverage existing collaborations with the National Assembly, NHRC and UN Women to promote voter education and grassroots mobilisation.
“Our strength lies not only in Abuja but in every ward, polling unit, and community where Nigerian women can make their voices heard,” she said. “The power of women’s votes is the true key to electoral victory.”
As NILOWV charts a new phase of advocacy, Hon. Ikyegh reaffirmed its core priorities:
Strengthening women’s leadership and political party participation, deepening voter education among women and youth, expanding state-level partnerships, sustaining pressure for the passage of all gender equity bills; and promoting peace, accountability, and inclusivity in elections.
She appealed: “The time has come for Nigerian women not only to register and vote, but to lead. Our voices must shape the ballots, and our votes must define the nation’s future.”
