Nigeria’s former Ambassador to the Netherlands, Eniola Ajayi, has renewed calls for increased female participation in political leadership and diplomatic appointments, stressing the need for deliberate efforts to improve gender representation.
Speaking during an interview on Wednesday to mark the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, Ajayi urged political leaders to ensure women are given more opportunities to serve in key positions, including ambassadorial appointments.
She specifically appealed for greater consideration of women in future diplomatic nominations, noting that inclusive leadership promotes equity and strengthens governance.
Ajayi expressed concern over the declining number of women in Nigeria’s political institutions, particularly the National Assembly. According to her, female representation in the legislature has fallen compared to previous years, despite ongoing advocacy for gender inclusion.
She, however, acknowledged recent progress made through the appointment of women to strategic government positions, including leadership roles in the foreign affairs sector. She noted that women who have served as ambassadors in recent years have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements.
The former envoy also highlighted the slow progress of the proposed Special Seats Bill, which seeks to create additional legislative seats for women. She described the initiative as important for improving women’s participation in governance and called for stronger support to ensure its passage.
Addressing factors limiting women’s advancement, Ajayi pointed to cultural and systemic barriers that often discourage women from seeking leadership positions. She observed that women frequently face challenges in navigating political structures that are not always supportive of gender balance.
According to her, meaningful progress will depend largely on the commitment of political leaders and parties to create opportunities for women and promote fairness in political appointments and elections.
Ajayi maintained that a more inclusive political system would not only benefit women but also contribute to national development by allowing a wider range of voices and perspectives to participate in decision-making.