Hadiza Bala Usman has called for deliberate efforts to expand opportunities for women in governance and leadership, warning that Nigeria’s development goals would remain limited if women continue to face exclusion from decision-making processes.
Usman made the remarks on Tuesday in Abuja during the 2026 Young Women’s Leadership Conference (YWLC) organised by the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre.
She stressed that national progress depends largely on the extent to which women are empowered to innovate, influence policy and contribute meaningfully to governance and development.
According to her, governments at all levels must ensure that inclusion becomes an integral part of governance and service delivery rather than an afterthought.
Usman identified gender-responsive planning and budgeting, safer schools and communities, stronger implementation of protection policies, and improved access to skills acquisition and enterprise support as critical measures for enhancing women’s participation in national development.
“The legislature and public institutions also have crucial roles in strengthening laws, policies and accountability mechanisms that expand opportunities for women. Legal frameworks are only as powerful as their implementation,” she said.
The presidential aide also criticised practices requiring female public servants to obtain spousal consent before accessing official housing, as well as policies denying maternity leave to unmarried women, describing them as discriminatory and outdated.
“A nation that relies on its women being able to endure more than it enables them to lead is wasting capacity,” she added.
In her welcome address, Rinsola Abiola said the initiative reflects the federal government’s commitment to youth and women empowerment.
She disclosed that since the programme was launched in 2024, over 1,500 young women have benefited from leadership, entrepreneurship and mentorship opportunities.
Abiola further revealed that 20 participants selected after the 2025 edition received intensive business and leadership training, alongside grants of N500,000 each to expand their businesses, leading to business growth and job creation.
According to her, the 2026 conference was designed to deepen discussions on leadership, governance, entrepreneurship and technology, while encouraging greater participation of young women in nation-building.
Also speaking at the event, Abike Dabiri-Erewa urged women to prioritise competence, professionalism and hard work over appearances.
She encouraged young women to actively engage in politics and public service, while advocating stronger mentorship platforms to support women aspiring to leadership positions.
The conference featured panel discussions involving prominent women in governance, business and technology, and concluded with the signing of a partnership agreement between the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre and the African Women Leaders Network.
