Voices from the United Kingdom and Switzerland came together on Monday, urging Nigeria to boost women’s representation in government. At the 2025 Law Week of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Nigeria), Abuja branch, their message was clear: Nigerian women bring valuable perspectives that the country can’t afford to miss.
The event, themed “Advancing Women’s Representation: Reserved Seats and the Future of Nigeria’s Legislature”, highlighted the urgent need to pass the Reserved Seats Bill. British Deputy High Commissioner Gill Lever-Obe didn’t hold back, pointing out that women’s presence in Nigeria’s National Assembly remains alarmingly low and reminding everyone that Nigeria ranks poorly on the Global Gender Inclusive Index. She stressed that passing the bill would accelerate economic growth and help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Lever-Obe said, “The UK is proud to support FIDA Nigeria’s vital work in advancing women’s representation in governance. This bill is a crucial step toward inclusive democracy, ensuring women’s voices shape policies that impact every Nigerian.”
Meanwhile, Switzerland’s Ambassador Patrick Egloff emphasized the power of mixed-gender leadership. “Studies show countries perform better with both women and men involved,” he said. “Women bring different sensitivities that complement men’s views, making decision-making richer and more balanced.”
Egloff shared that while Switzerland took nearly 50 years to achieve its current gender balance, Nigeria has a chance to speed things up through the upcoming constitutional review. He also challenged women lawyers to step up as advocates and mentors to prepare more women for political roles once seats become available.
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