Women account for only 9.7 per cent of candidates contesting Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, exposing the scale of their limited access to elective offices despite years of national and international commitments to gender equality.
The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) disclosed the figure on Wednesday while unveiling its #VoteHer2027 campaign in Abuja. The initiative seeks to challenge gender prejudice and encourage voters to assess candidates on their qualifications, integrity, experience and policy proposals.
The organisation warned that the low proportion of female candidates could translate into another election cycle with limited female representation in Nigeria’s political institutions. Even if every woman contesting in 2027 wins, UN Women observed, their presence in elected offices would still fall considerably short of equal participation.
The figure raises a fundamental question about Nigeria’s democratic representation: how can a country whose women constitute nearly half its population achieve inclusive governance when fewer than one in 10 candidates are female?
UN Women maintained that gender should neither guarantee electoral support nor become a reason to deny a candidate the opportunity to serve. Its position is that voters should examine what each aspirant brings to public office rather than rely on assumptions about the suitability of men or women for leadership.
“Women must have a fair chance to help shape the laws, policies and priorities that govern their lives and communities,” the organisation stated.
Nigeria has several commitments intended to improve women’s participation in political leadership. These include the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Maputo Protocol and the Beijing Platform for Action. The National Gender Policy also sets affirmative action targets ranging from 30 to 50 per cent representation.
Yet, the 9.7 per cent figure illustrates the distance between those commitments and participation at the level of electoral contests. The challenge is not limited to winning elections. Women must first secure party tickets, overcome financial and social barriers, and compete in political structures where access to resources and influence can shape their chances.
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UN Women plans to use radio broadcasts, social media and media partnerships to confront these obstacles. A central feature is NO BE BY GENDER, an issue-based radio drama and expert call-in programme scheduled for Radio Nigeria Network.
The programme will examine stereotypes and cultural assumptions that discourage support for female aspirants. It will also give listeners opportunities to discuss leadership, political participation and the qualities voters should consider when choosing representatives.
The organisation called on journalists to give female candidates fair visibility and subject them to the same level of scrutiny as their male counterparts, rather than allowing gender stereotypes to shape election coverage.
Political parties, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups and community influencers were also identified as important partners in changing attitudes towards women in public office.
As the 2027 elections approaches, the central test will be tied to whether Nigeria’s stated commitment to equal political participation can translate into meaningful opportunities for women to contest, win and influence decisions that affect the country.
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