Nigeria gained its independence on October 1st, 1960. During the decolonization process, the former colonial rulers set up a parliamentary democracy in Nigeria. After decades of political insurgence in the country, in 1999, Nigeria became a federal regime with a presidential system. In the current democratic regime in Nigeria, between 1999 and 2017, all Nigerian Presidents have been male[19]. Additionally, between 1999 and 2015, in the House of Representatives, women only occupied between 12-26 seats out of 360 seats. In the Senate, with 109 seats, women held only 3-8 seats. The lack of representation of women in Nigerian politics is due to many reasons such as elitism, in which the dominant class or groups of political elites play a role in how the political dynamics operate and who gets to participate[20]. Specifically, such elitism in Nigeria can be found in a practice known as Godfatherism. Godfathers are made up of “prominent members of the elite class” who influence politics by “[building] an Array of Loyalists around them and use their influence, which is often tied to monetary considerations, to manipulate the rest of society”[21]. Godfathers can choose who they will financially and politically support and that is often men because men are perceived as natural leaders and women as ‘unworthy’ to be in political spaces. Without the financial means and support, only a few women can continue in elections and participation. This ensures that the patriarchal idea that men are superior to women persists. Men are given better educational opportunities and are taught from an early age to aspire for jobs within the political sphere. On the other hand, women remain primarily limited to motherhood and homemaking. Lastly, gender-based violence influences the presence of women in Nigerian politics. The political violence that women encounter is exemplified by the cases of Dorothy Nyone, and Gbemisola Saraki, who have been met with threats of assassination and dissent for their political participation[22]. Additionally, there are women such as Suilat Adedeji and Kudirat Abiola, who were killed due to political violence. Such treatment of Nigerian women reflects that “in Nigeria, politics is presumed a man’s turf where no women needs apply”[23] because women are seen as “bodies out of place”[24]. They are viewed as less capable and deserving to serve in the political sphere. These constraints have created conditions to push Nigerian women into performing what is expected of their gender.
Despite all of the constraints, Nigerian women and girls are still resisting and decolonizing the limitations that have been placed on them by mobilizing and continuing to make their presence known and fighting for their place through various societal activism. For example, there is the Feminist Coalition in Nigeria, which is a new women-led NGO with 14 founding members that include Damilola Odufuwa and Odunayo Eweniyi. The organization aided the #EndSars Movement that occurred in Nigeria in 2020. This political support shown by the organization included crowdfunding of £296,476, providing food, legal, and medical aid[25]. Eweniyi stated, in a candid interview done by Global Citizens organization, that “[…]the entire goal of Feminist Coalition is to ensure the representation of women across all stages — women’s rights and safety, financial equality for women, and the representation of women in the office across the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary”[26]. The feminist coalition is not the only organization operating in Nigeria to provide a voice for Nigerian women. There is the PeriodRichOrg founded by Obianuju Onwuasor, which is dedicated to human and reproductive rights in Nigeria and the organization understands how the need for political gender equality can help achieve its core mission[27]. These organizations are also aware that these constraints have to be decolonized and deconstructed. First, by recognizing what the various constraints are and how they operate. Secondly, critically interrogating how to dismantle those systems and factors such as elitism, patriarchy, and gender-based violence.
A Way Forward
Political gender equality still has a long way to go in Nigeria. There is progress as organizations such as the Feminist Coalition have begun to recognize that there are systems at play that limit women’s abilities to participate in politics. The processes involved in the continuous efforts to dismantle and decolonize begin by putting equal importance on all genders and non-binary bodies and not relegating one as better than the other. It is providing educational opportunities for women and girls to know that their abilities and interests are needed beyond the private sphere and there should be a choice in what they decide to do. It is about making a political, social, and economic declaration that women are not the “other” and allowing society, including men, to know women as individuals that can work side by side with them to create a better Nigeria. The Nigerian government should also be tasked to make sure that there is a quota to be met for women’s representation in the different governmental positions and administrations. George et.al (2016) discuss other forms of intervention such as Youth programs to prepare young minds, especially women for leadership roles in politics and a review of Nigerian legislation on women’s rights where gender discrimination is prohibited. As seen in the case of Rwanda and Uganda, prohibiting gender-based discrimination against women increased the level of women's political involvement. Today, Rwanda is regarded as having the highest percentage of women participation in politics[28]. As this unlearning and deconstructing of cultural gender normativity begins, the participation of Nigerian women in politics will begin to take hold because the societal attitudes towards women in politics will start to shift as well as the political constraints on Nigerian women.