…Activist Urges Women to Break the Culture of Silence
Human rights activist Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin has criticised the low representation of women in Nigeria’s legislative chambers, urging greater fairness, justice and inclusion at the 2026 Momentous Outstanding Personalities Awards.
Human rights activist Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin has renewed calls for greater inclusion of women in Nigeria’s political and legislative processes, describing their limited representation in elected institutions as a concern for fairness and justice.
Speaking at the 2026 Momentous Outstanding Personalities Awards (MOPA), organised by Momentous Magazine, Okei-Odumakin reflected on her decades of human rights advocacy and the challenges women continue to face in securing meaningful representation in governance.
The president of Women Arise for Change Initiative reportedly said she had spent about three decades advocating for human rights in Nigeria. She expressed concern that women remained sidelined in decisions and policies shaping the country’s political and social development.
Her remarks placed women’s participation in governance at the centre of a wider conversation about democratic representation, equality and the need for public institutions to reflect the diversity of the population they serve.
Nigeria’s Legislative Chambers Face Gender Representation Gap
Okei-Odumakin reportedly drew attention to the low number of women in the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly, arguing that the situation undermines efforts to achieve fairness and justice in public life.
Available parliamentary data supports her broader concern. The Inter-Parliamentary Union’s data on Nigeria’s Senate lists four women among 107 sitting senators, against a constitutional statutory membership of 109. This represents approximately 3.7 per cent of the chamber’s current membership.
The House of Representatives also has limited female representation. A policy factsheet published by Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) reported 16 women in the 10th House of Representatives and noted that several state Houses of Assembly had no female legislators.
These figures highlight a persistent challenge for women seeking elective office in Nigeria. While women participate in political parties, civil society and public advocacy, their numbers in elected legislative positions remain low.
Okei-Odumakin’s reported comments underscored the need to move beyond general commitments to inclusion and consider practical measures that could improve women’s access to political participation and decision-making.
‘Silence Is No Longer Golden,’ Activist Tells Women
Okei-Odumakin also reportedly urged women to speak out against marginalisation, emphasising the importance of peace, justice, dignity and happiness.
Her message was that women should not remain silent when their rights and opportunities are threatened. She highlighted the role women play in raising families, strengthening communities and contributing to national development.
The remarks reflect the advocacy focus of Women Arise for Change Initiative, which promotes women’s rights, public awareness and participation in Nigeria’s social, political and economic life. The organisation identifies breaking the culture of silence and challenging discrimination as key parts of its work. Learn more about the organization here: Women Arise for Change Initiative
The issue of women’s representation remains relevant to debates about democratic inclusion, particularly as Nigeria continues to discuss reforms intended to improve women’s participation in elective office.
Okei-Odumakin Commends MOPA Publisher and Award Recipients
Beyond her comments on women’s political participation, Okei-Odumakin reportedly praised the publisher of Momentous Magazine, Prince Sesan Rufus Awobiye, for organising the 2026 Momentous Outstanding Personalities Awards.
She also commended the award recipients for what she described as their selfless service and contributions to humanity.
MOPA 2026 was scheduled for Saturday, October 17, at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry Conference Centre in Alausa, Ikeja. In its pre-event announcement, Momentous Magazine said the awards were designed to recognise individuals and institutions for excellence, leadership, service, innovation and contributions to society. (Momentous Magazine’s MOPA 2026 announcement)
The event also provided an opportunity to highlight the work of advocates and other public figures whose activities address issues affecting Nigerian communities.
Okei-Odumakin’s reported remarks brought a rights-based perspective to the occasion, connecting the celebration of achievement with the continuing need for equality, justice and inclusive governance.
Ultimately, her message was that recognising excellence should go hand in hand with building a society in which women have a fair opportunity to participate in leadership and national development.
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