Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has called for increased advocacy and action toward women’s rights, equality, and empowerment in Nigeria. In a message shared on his social media platforms to mark the 2025 International Women’s Day, Obi highlighted the challenges Nigerian women face and emphasized the need for systemic reforms to promote their inclusion.

Obi noted that despite their resilience and contributions to society, many Nigerian women remain trapped in cycles of poverty, with limited access to healthcare, education, and essential services. He lamented that girls constitute the majority of out-of-school children and that women continue to suffer the most from rising insecurity, including violence and abductions.

Addressing the issue of leadership, he pointed out that women occupy only 6% of leadership positions in the private sector, while their political representation has continued to decline, reaching an all-time low after the 2023 elections. He cited Senators Ireti Kingibe and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as examples of women who, despite winning elections, still face significant discrimination and hostility in public office.

Obi stressed the need for affirmative action to guarantee a minimum of 25% representation for women in all decision-making bodies, both in government and the corporate sector. He also called for aggressive investment in girl-child education, particularly in disadvantaged areas, as a way to break cycles of inequality.

“I continue to advocate for women because of the critical role they play in family and national development. The time to act is now. Women are the backbone of our society, and the progress of our nation depends on ensuring they have equal opportunities to shape our collective future,” Obi stated.

He reaffirmed his commitment to a more inclusive Nigeria, emphasizing that a “new Nigeria is possible” with deliberate efforts toward gender equality.