Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has said the inclusion of women in governance and public leadership is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s human capital and institutional strength rather than an act of favour.
Bamidele said no nation can realise its full potential if a significant proportion of its population cannot contribute fully to governance, diplomacy, economic development and public leadership.
The Senate Leader spoke yesterday while chairing the presentation of The Female Diplomat: Navigating Power, Ambition and Identity at Nigeria House in New York, the United States.
The event brought together the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim; Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Kayode Are, and other diplomats, business and institutional leaders. Bamidele noted that meaningful gender inclusion goes beyond having women occupying positions in public institutions, stressing that women must be given genuine opportunities to participate in decision-making, exercise responsibility and contribute to the formulation and implementation of public policy.
‘Gender inclusion is not an act of favour. It is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s human capital and institutional strength,’ he said.
‘No nation can realise its full potential if a significant proportion of its population is unable to contribute fully to governance, diplomacy, economic development and public leadership.’
The Senate Leader said Nigeria’s democracy would be strengthened when citizens see themselves adequately represented in institutions established to serve them.
He also argued that the country’s foreign relations would benefit from the participation of capable professionals whose knowledge, judgement and experience reflected the breadth of Nigeria’s national talent.
Bamidele said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had, through his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, recognised the need to harness the abilities and contributions of all Nigerians.
According to him, the President has consistently affirmed that women and young people should not be relegated to the background in the political, economic, and national life of the country.
He said the National Assembly has an important role to play in deepening gender inclusion through legislation, representation and oversight.
Bamidele promised that the Parliament would continue to promote institutions that are ‘fair, accessible and responsive’ while helping to create an environment where competence was recognised and opportunities broadened for qualified women.
The Senate Leader said the responsibility for achieving greater inclusion should not be left to the government alone.
He identified political institutions, the diplomatic service, the private sector, academia, and civil society as stakeholders whose collective efforts were required to promote gender inclusion.
‘Progress will require deliberate policies, supportive institutions and a collective willingness to recognise talent wherever it is found,’ he said.
The Senate Leader was also in New York for the Nigeria Investment Forum 2026, which brought together government representatives, investors, development finance institutions, multinational corporations and business leaders to explore investment opportunities in Nigeria.