Accounting for half of the population, women in Nigeria remain significantly underrepresented in political engagement and governmental positions. Compared to other African nations, Nigeria ranks among the lowest in terms of female representation in political spheres, primarily due to entrenched structural and societal obstacles hindering women’s involvement in political decision-making.
To address this disparity, the International Press Centre (IPC) initiated a capacity-building program aimed at enhancing women’s political participation in the forthcoming 2023 Nigerian Elections. As part of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria-Phase II (EUSDGN II) project, the organization conducted specialized training sessions under the media support component to empower female politicians from southern Nigeria and Kwara state. These sessions focused on advanced strategic communication, media engagement techniques, and the effective utilization of traditional and online platforms in political processes and campaigns.
The EU training sessions conducted in Osogbo and Port-Harcourt on the 12th and 13th of December 2022 align with the objectives of the EU-SDGN media component, aiming to bolster the Nigerian media’s role in advancing democratic governance. This is achieved through fostering impartial, precise, principled, and comprehensive coverage of electoral processes and elections in Nigeria.
These training sessions provided an invaluable platform for the 45 female candidates in attendance to engage with journalists, exchange perspectives, expectations, and insights on women’s involvement in politics. They also drew from the experiences of elected female politicians, focusing on implementing post-election initiatives and receiving capacity-building support.
Noteworthy is the success story of four female lawmakers, namely Hon. Fakunle Iyabo Okieimen and Hon. Maryam Ogunlade from the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Rita Agbo Ayim from the Cross River State House of Assembly, and Hon. Ayibanegiyefa Egba from the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. These lawmakers, who participated in the IPC capacity-building initiatives before the 2023 State House of Assembly elections, credited the acquired skills for aiding them in developing effective campaign strategies and communicating compellingly with voters, ultimately contributing to their electoral triumphs.
Hon. Ayibanegiyefa Egba, a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly representing the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), emphasised the profound impact of the training session for female candidates in Port Harcourt on her political trajectory. Leveraging the insights gleaned from the training, she orchestrated transformative changes within her media team to refine specific elements of her campaign. This restructuring involved strategically reallocating team members to elevate the visual appeal and messaging of her manifesto, profile, and press releases, with a keen focus on resonating with grassroots voters via prominent online platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp.
Furthermore, she adopted innovative tactics such as crafting visually engaging posters with compelling narratives for rallies, drawing inspiration from discussions on optimizing the visibility of female candidates across social media and digital channels. Through a concentrated effort on media development and fostering connections, Hon. Ayibanegiyefa Egba endeavored to bolster her presence within the political sphere.
Honorable Rita Agbo Ayim, representing the PDP in Ogoja, Cross River, emerged victorious in the State House of Assembly elections. She highlighted the challenges faced in utilizing traditional media due to the unique circumstances of her location, which led her media team to focus on social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp to effectively communicate with rural audiences through group sharing.
Furthermore, she undertook a proactive approach by conducting door-to-door campaigns, organizing rallies in marketplaces, and distributing campaign materials such as handbills and posters reflecting her revised manifestos developed after participating in a training workshop for female candidates facilitated by IPC.
Capitalising on gender inclusivity, Rita engaged with clergy members to host women-centric town hall meetings across various communities in Ogoja, a strategic move that significantly contributed to her landslide victory in the election.
Empowered by the training she received, Rita directed her media team to compile polling data from her constituency, a move aimed at bolstering her defense against potential legal challenges to her win by her opponent.
Honorable Fakunle Iyabo Okieimen, who secured a seat in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, attributed her successful campaign to the subjects addressed in the training organised by IPC. She underscored that the training bolstered her understanding of the crucial influence of various media platforms, such as print, electronic, and online channels, in shaping her public persona and increasing voter awareness.
In conclusion, the training programs supported by the European Union have played a pivotal role in empowering women in the region. These initiatives have provided women with the necessary skills and confidence to engage in political leadership roles actively. Their accomplishments not only position them as role models but also advocates for promoting a more equitable and inclusive social structure.
