As part of Women’s History Month, the National Assembly Library Trust Fund hosted a key engagement on gender-inclusive governance, featuring a UK Parliament delegation on the second day of their three-day visit to Nigeria. The delegation’s visit was aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, exploring Nigeria’s legislative landscape, and advocating for gender-sensitive policymaking.
With women’s political representation in Nigeria still significantly low, these discussions focused on identifying challenges and opportunities for enhancing women’s participation in governance. The day was filled with high-level meetings, policy discussions, and strategic engagements with Nigerian lawmakers, advocacy groups, and government officials.
Key Highlights of Day 2
Engagements with Leadership
The UK delegation started the day with a courtesy visit to the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele. This meeting set the stage for discussions on gender-sensitive governance, legislative collaborations, and the role of parliaments in advancing gender equality.
Following this, the delegation met with the Majority and Minority Leaders, Whips, and members of the House of Representatives and Senate, where they explored strategies for integrating gender perspectives into legislative processes.
A key highlight was their observation of the House of Representatives plenary session, providing them with firsthand insights into Nigeria’s legislative proceedings and parliamentary decision-making.
Strategic Discussions & Policy Collaborations
A working lunch brought together influential stakeholders, including:
• The Secretary, IR&P, and Directors
• Representatives from the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC)
• Women’s Caucus Leadership
• International Parliamentary Organisations (IPOs) and Desk Officers
The session provided a platform for cross-sector discussions on strengthening policies that promote gender equity, enhancing parliamentary advocacy, and leveraging international best practices to increase women’s representation in governance.
Thematic Discussion Groups with House Committees
In the afternoon, the UK delegation engaged in a series of discussion groups with key House Committees, focusing on gender-sensitive policies across different sectors. Discussions were held with:
• Hon. Ahmed Munir (Commerce Committee)
• Hon. Ahmed Satomi (National Security and Intelligence Committee)
• Hon. Dennis Idahosa (Healthcare Services Committee)
• Hon. Alex Ogbona (Health Specialty Care and Services Committee)
• Hon. Amos Magaji (Health Institutions Committee)
• Hon. Amobi Ogah (HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Control Committee)
• Hon. Victor Nwokolo (Power Committee)
• Hon. Osi Kama Nkemkanma (Climate Change Committee)
• Hon. Mark Esset (Inter-Parliamentary Relations Committee)
• Hon. Solomon Wonbo (Nigeria/UK Parliamentary Friendship Group)
These discussions explored the intersection of gender and legislative priorities, particularly in healthcare, security, commerce, and climate change, with a focus on ensuring inclusive and gender-responsive policies.
Gender-Sensitive Legislative Drafting
A crucial part of the day was the Gender-Sensitive Drafting session led by Bethan and Helen, members of the UK delegation. This session emphasized the importance of incorporating gender perspectives into legislative drafting and proposed collaborative efforts with:
• The Deputy Speaker
• The Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional Review
By examining existing policies and identifying gaps, this session aimed to lay the groundwork for legal reforms that promote gender equity within Nigeria’s governance framework.
Driving Change Through Legislative Collaboration
The UK delegation’s visit to the National Assembly marked a significant step toward fostering gender-inclusive governance in Nigeria. Through direct engagement with lawmakers, advocacy groups, and key stakeholders, the discussions focused on legislative reforms, policy advocacy, and international collaboration to advance gender equity.
As Nigeria continues its journey toward greater political inclusion for women, partnerships like this serve as a catalyst for impactful change. The National Assembly Library Trust Fund remains committed to facilitating such critical engagements, ensuring that discussions on gender equality translate into actionable policies and lasting reforms.
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