*supports reserved National Assembly seats
From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Director-General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, Issa Aremu, has called for deliberate constitutional and policy reforms that would increase women’s representation in governance, including the creation of special seats for women in Nigeria’s National Assembly.
Aremu made the call in Ilorin during the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration organised by the institute in collaboration with the Development Research and Projects Centre in Abuja
Related News
The event, themed “Advancing Women Through Unity: The Impact of Collective Support – Give to Gain,” brought together labour leaders, market women, People Living with Disabilities, government officials and development partners, in a citizenship engagement to discuss strategies for strengthening women’s participation in leadership and national development.
According to Aremu, Nigeria must adopt deliberate measures to address the persistent under-representation of women in political decision-making.
“We must be deliberate and intentional about women’s participation in governance. Women constitute a significant portion of the population and should be adequately represented in leadership positions,” he said.
He explained that discussions on gender inclusion in governance have proposed the creation of six reserved legislative seats for women across each geopolitical zone in the country.
Aremu noted that women make up about 51 per cent of the global population and therefore deserve stronger representation in the nation’s political institutions.
The labour leader also joined President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, in celebrating women across the world for their contributions to social and economic development adding that both the President and the First Lady were on spot to say when “women rise, Nigeria rises”.
He commended the current administration for appointing women into key government positions, noting that many of them are already making meaningful contributions in strategic sectors.
Aremu also praised female staff of the institute for their professionalism and dedication, stressing that the progress recorded at the institute during his tenure was made possible with their support.
He added that women often bring unique perspectives to leadership, particularly in promoting dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution.
Citing global experiences, Aremu noted that countries led by women demonstrated remarkable leadership during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
He emphasised that empowering women politically and economically would significantly contribute to national stability and development.
In a similar vein the Director General and foremost labour leader, commended President Bola Tinubu for restoring gratuity payment in the public service after its abolition following the introduction of contributory pension scheme in 2004.
Recall that Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Tinubu, recently approved a new Exit Benefit Scheme that restores gratuity payments of 100% of annual salary for federal employees effective from January 1, 2026.
AREMU observed that the return of gratuity confirms “Tinubu as a foremost labour friendly President with respect to decent work through job security, job creation and unprecedented pension arrears payments.”
In her remarks, Chairperson of the women committee of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Kwara State, Comrade Victoria Agboola, called for stronger unity among women to advance gender equality and leadership opportunities.
Agboola said the International Women’s Day celebration, provided an opportunity not only to celebrate women but also to reflect on progress made and renew commitments toward women’s empowerment.
“Today is not just another date on the calendar. It is a moment to reflect, to celebrate progress, and most importantly, to renew our collective commitment to empowering women in every sphere of society,” she said.
She stressed that the progress of women historically has been driven by solidarity and collaboration.
“No woman advances alone, and no society truly progresses when half of its population is left behind,” Agboola said.
According to her, the women wing of the labour congress remains committed to promoting gender equity, inclusive development and leadership opportunities for women within and beyond the labour movement.
She urged women to strengthen support networks, mentor younger generations and build partnerships that promote collaboration rather than rivalry.
“When women stand together, they amplify their voices, multiply their impact and shape a future that is more equitable for everyone,” she added.
Also speaking at the event, Assistant Chief Labour Officer of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs Racheal Adeoye, urged women to pursue education, vocational skills and entrepreneurship to achieve economic independence.
Adeoye, who represented the Kwara State Controller of Labour, Mr Orodiran Bola, said women must be resilient and proactive in developing themselves.
“Women should be articulate, resilient and hardworking. They must stand up for themselves and take responsibility for their lives,” she said.
“At this present time, women should not rely solely on others but should strive to be independent by learning trades, improving academically and becoming entrepreneurs.”
She also encouraged women to familiarise themselves with labour laws to better understand their rights and responsibilities in the workplace.
According to her, many female workers face challenges simply because they are unaware of legal protections available to them.
In a goodwill message, the Kwara State Director of the National Orientation Agency, Alhaji Dare AbdulGaniyu, called for stronger collaboration among institutions and communities to advance women’s development.
He said discussions about women’s advancement were central to national progress.
“This gathering is not just a celebration but a moment for reflection on how we can collectively support women and ensure they play their rightful roles in national development,” AbdulGaniyu said.
He stressed that unity and sustained advocacy were critical to addressing social and economic challenges confronting women in Nigeria.
The International Women’s Day event served as a platform for stakeholders to renew commitments toward gender equality and promote policies that will ensure women play greater roles in leadership, governance and economic development.
