WILAN Global has released the inaugural State of Women’s Leadership in Nigeria Report while formally launching the next phase of its MsRepresented advocacy campaign, calling for at least 35 percent female representation across public and private leadership spaces.
The organisation’s latest intervention comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s longstanding but slow-moving commitments to gender inclusion, reflected in the National Gender Policy and repeated political pledges that have yet to translate into meaningful results.
The new report presents the most comprehensive picture of women’s participation in leadership across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, the 50 most capitalised firms listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), and key public-sector institutions.
Its findings point to a complex mix of progress, stagnation, and structural barriers that continue to limit women’s ascent into leadership roles.
Speaking at the launch, Abosede George-Ogan, Founder and Executive Director of WILAN Global, described Nigeria’s leadership narrative as “a study in contrasts where women are powering communities, driving entrepreneurial growth, and sustaining frontline services, yet remain conspicuously absent from the decision-making tables that shape the nation’s direction.”
She noted that the data reveals a pattern that has persisted for decades. “Our report shows that the issue is no longer capability; it is access and systemic constraints. Women are doing the work, but the doors to leadership are still too often closed.”
The report reveals dismal representation at the federal level, where only 21 of the 469 seats in the 10th National Assembly are held by women, representing just 4.5 percent one of the lowest rates across Africa and far below the global average of 27.2 percent. The imbalance extends to the federal cabinet, where women account for only eight of the 48 ministers and ten of the 34 presidential advisers. George-Ogan highlighted this as a key indicator of systemic exclusion, stating, “When a nation consistently keeps half its talent outside the rooms where decisions are made, it weakens its governance outcomes and undermines national development.”
State-level representation reflects the same trend. Women hold only 49 of the 988 seats across state Houses of Assembly. A few bright spots exist: six women currently serve as Deputy Speakers, and states like Kwara which has a 46 percent female cabinet composition demonstrate what political will can achieve.
Others such as Ekiti, Oyo, Taraba, Anambra, and Kaduna also show stronger inclusion. Still, the report shows most states hovering in the single digits, with some barely appointing one or two women into cabinet positions.
One of the most notable areas of progress is the judiciary. Fifteen states now have female Chief Judges, and the nation’s Chief Justice is a woman. Women also hold close to one-third of the seats at the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. George-Ogan described this as a clear example of what structured systems can deliver. “Where the pathways are transparent and progression is based on merit and tenure, women rise. The judiciary proves that when you remove bias from the process, inclusion becomes inevitable.”
Yet, at the grassroots where governance directly impacts citizens the picture is far more troubling. Only 41 of 811 Local Government Chairperson positions are held by women, just five percent. Councillorship seats show similar outcomes: only 604 of 8,773 councillors profiled nationwide are women. The disparities across regions are stark, with southern states such as Akwa Ibom achieving 34 percent female councillors, while many northern states record no women at all.
“When women are locked out of local governance, the pipeline to higher leadership breaks,” George-Ogan warned. “This absence affects service delivery and deprives communities of balanced perspectives.”
The private sector shows moderate improvement, with women holding 31 percent of board seats across the 50 most capitalised firms on the NGX. Only five companies, however, have women as board chairs.
The report highlights the financial sector as a leader, propelled by regulatory frameworks such as the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Sustainable Banking Principles. In contrast, sectors like oil and gas, technology, and utilities lag significantly, with women barely occupying a quarter of leadership positions. “The private sector has made strides, but progress cannot depend on regulatory pockets,” George-Ogan said. “We need consistency across all industries.”
In the education and health sectors, the report outlines a familiar paradox. Women dominate frontline roles teachers, nurses, midwives, and community health workers yet they rarely occupy leadership positions. Only 12 of Nigeria’s 270 Vice Chancellors are women, and key professional associations remain male-led. “This is the XX paradox in full view. Women deliver the services but do not shape the decisions.”
The report also sheds light on the cultural norms that continue to shape leadership outcomes in Nigeria. Leadership is still widely coded as male, and women often face conflicting expectations criticised for being either too soft or too strong.
George-Ogan described this as “a double bind that penalises women regardless of competence,” adding that it ultimately undermines institutional performance and national progress.
Calling for urgent reforms, she stressed that the political and governance systems must evolve. She said, “We cannot continue to operate leadership structures where women’s participation is an afterthought. What we need now is intentionality, transparent pathways, accountable institutions, and leaders willing to commit to measurable change.”
WILAN Board Member Nafisa
Atiku-Adejuwon echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for real accountability. “The data is clear. Women are not underperforming; they are underrepresented. Nations that prioritise gender-balanced leadership are more prosperous and more stable. This report gives leaders a benchmark and removes any ambiguity about where the gaps truly are.”
