President Muhammadu Buhari frequently claims he is willing to give more political space to Nigerian women. His words and actions have always proved otherwise. Perhaps, he illustrated his weightiest demonstration of regard for women in a disdainful manner he treated his wife before a global audience. 

In 2016, it became public knowledge that Aisha Buhari, Nigeria’s First Lady, was not impressed by how her husband was running the country’s affairs. In an interview with the BBC’s Hausa language service, she claimed a cabal had hijacked Mr Buhari’s regime.

“The president does not know 45 out of 50 of the people he appointed, and I don’t know them either, despite being his wife of 27 years,” Mrs Buhari had claimed.

When asked about his wife’s comment, a visibly displeased Mr Buhari had retorted, “I don’t know which party my wife belongs to. But she belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room.” 

In a frenetic attempt to deflect the barrage of outrage that followed, Mr Buhari’s handlers claimed the president was joking. But the world saw that as a joke taken too far. To date, his fabled “body language” has demonstrated that he would prefer women to shut, perform chores in the kitchen, living and conjugal responsibilities in the “other room.”

In a statement by his media aide, Femi Adesina, Mr Buhari said he was committed to women inclusion in politics, and leadership positions, especially in public offices. 

“I am most grateful for the role women have played and continue to play in our government. We will continue to support them to succeed. And we shall continue to advocate for our women who qualify to lead international fora.

“This administration has demonstrated this by engaging in intense diplomacy to support the aspirations of Nigerian women to provide leadership at the global stage,” said the president.

One of the president’s most memorable campaign promises is to give women more opportunities in the political scheme of things; to change the narrative of women’s inclusion in politics. That narrative has worsened under his watch. Mr Buhari has changed the ‘change’ he promised Nigerian women.

At the moment, out of 98 Nigerian ambassadors, only 18 are female.

Mr Buhari still hopes he can do more in his last couple of years in the office.

“As a leader of the governing party, I will lend my voice to the amendment of the party constitution, which is ongoing now and is the entry point for effective and meaningful participation of women in elective offices,” the president promised. 

On March 8, the world celebrated International Women’s Day. Mr Buhari did not hesitate to join other world leaders to issue fancy statements. On that occasion, the Presidency issued a statement titled, ‘Buhari’s Women,’ which had the names of 50 women in the president’s cabinet.

In 2019, Nigeria’s female population amounted to approximately 99.13 million, while the male population amounted to approximately 101.83 million inhabitants, according to Statista.

Peoples Gazette’s analysis shows that the number of women in public offices is fewer than men. 

In the Senate, there are only seven women. In the House of Representatives, the number is measly: 12 women squeezed their way into a parliament with available 360 seats. This suggests that only 19 female legislators are in a position to make laws on women and children. The president’s party, the ruling all All Progressives Congress, has just two female senators, Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central) and Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed (Adamawa Central). The Peoples Democratic Party has five. The APC lawmakers are eight in the lower chamber of the National Assembly out of a possible 360.

Also, Mr Buhari appointed 94 ambassadors to represent Nigeria, with only 18 women on the list. 

In 2019, some days after Mr Buhari was sworn into office for a second term, he submitted the names of nominated ministers with just seven women and 36 men. 

The National Gender Policy adopted in Nigeria in 2000 recommends the appointment of 35 per cent of women into public offices. Mr Buhari’s regime resists making progressive changes over gender equality in political and public services despite campaign promises made in 2015. If women’s low representation continues in Nigeria, there may be more high numbers of insecurity, poverty, and limited growth.

According to Chirsty Iwezor, an advocate for women’s rights, women do not have financial support to run for political positions compared to men.

Dr Chirsty explained, “Politics is capital-intensive. There’s no money for women to throw around. This is the reason women are discouraged from politics. Any woman that decides to make changes in society is tagged a prostitute. This is the reason women are not respected.”

She noted further, “There is a gender imbalance in government. Women have been marginalised, relegated, and discriminated against. The environment is corrupt. Women are not encouraged to go into politics or take any leadership position.”

Remi Sonaiya, a former presidential candidate in the 2015 presidential election, exposed the Nigerian government’s hypocrisy regarding its view of Nigerian women. 

“We have a government that will support Okonjo-Iweala to contest in the diaspora. But at home, they are not showing support. It is more challenging for people to make changes that will affect them directly at home. That is what we are seeing. The government supports women outside but neglects those at home because it will affect them directly. 

“After all, if she is out there, she is an ambassador to Nigeria and good for the image of the country.”

Prof Sonaiya added that women in Nigeria are capable of handling the country’s perennial challenges. She admitted that people must mount pressure on the Nigerian government to respect the commitment made relating to affirmative action. 

Below are the names of women in different public offices in Mr Buhari’s regime.

 1. Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning

2. Sadiya Umar Farouq, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development

3. Pauline Tallen, Minister of Women Affairs

4. Mariam Yalwaji Katagum, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment

5. Sharon Ikeazor, Minister of State for Environment

6. Gbemisola Saraki, Minister of State for Transportation

7. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, Minister of State for the (FCT)

8. Folakemi Akinpelu, Ambassador

9. Opunimi Akinkugbe, Ambassador

10. Deborah Illiya, Ambassador

11. Safiya Ahmed Modupe Irele, Ambassador

12. Ijeoma Chinegerem, Ambassador

13. Maureen Tamuno, Ambassador

14. Hajara Ibrahim, Ambassador

15. Zahra Omar, Ambassador

16. Monique Ekpong, Ambassador

17. Eniola Ajayi, Ambassador

 18. Aisha Mohammed Garba, Female Ambassador

19. Asari Edem Allotey, Ambassador

20. Lami Sauda Remawa-Ahmed, Ambassador

21. Ingekem Regina Ocheni, Ambassador

22. Mistura Abdulraheem, Ambassador

23. Wosilat Abimbola Adedeji, Ambassador

24. Aishatu Aliyu Iwejuo, Ambassador

25. Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed

26. Senator Eyakenyi Akon Etim

27. Senator Stella Oduah

28. Senator Uche Lilian Ekwunife

29. Senator Rose Okoji Oko

30. Senator Betty Apiafi

31. Senator Oluremi Tinubu 

32.Hon. Lynda Chuba Ikpeazu

33. Hon. Keiruka C. Onyejeocha

34. Hon. Onuh Onyeche Blessing 

35. Hon. Zainab Gimba 

36. Hon. Taiwo Olukemi Oluga  

37. Hon. Tolulope Tiwalola 

38. Hon. Beni Butmak 

39. Hon. Boma Goodhead

40. Hon. Onanuga Adewunmi Oriyomi

41. Hon. Ogunlola Omowumi Olubunmi 

42. Hon. Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim

43. Hon. Aishatu Jibril Dukku.