By Gabriel Ameh
The National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS) has called for stronger women’s participation in leadership, democratic governance and peacebuilding as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The call was made at the maiden Nigerian Women Peace, Democracy Summit and Awards 2026, held on Friday, November 13, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
The summit, themed “Women as Catalysts for Peace, Democracy and Inclusive Governance,” brought together more than 3,000 women leaders, policymakers, diplomats, development partners and civil society representatives to discuss how women can contribute more actively to national development and democratic stability.
Speaking at the event, NCWS National President, Edna D.D. Azura, said Nigerian women must move beyond being seen as beneficiaries of democracy and take their rightful place in leadership, policymaking and decision-making.
She described the summit as an important platform for bringing women together across political, ethnic, religious and generational differences to promote national unity, peace and inclusive development.
Azura stressed that women’s voices must be reflected in decisions shaping the country’s future, particularly as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections gather momentum.
A major highlight of the summit was the unveiling of the prototype of the proposed NCWS Multi-Purpose Legacy Complex.
The project is expected to provide permanent institutional infrastructure for the council’s activities and strengthen its capacity to deliver programmes and services for Nigerian women.
Also speaking, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, highlighted the important role women play in peacebuilding, national security and democratic governance.
She reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, to promoting women’s empowerment, protecting vulnerable groups and creating more opportunities for women in leadership.
The minister maintained that sustainable peace and national development would remain difficult to achieve without adequate representation of women in decisions affecting families, communities and the country.
The event also featured the Nigeria Women for Peace and Democracy Awards, which honoured individuals, institutions, development partners and women recognised for their contributions to peacebuilding, humanitarian service, democratic values and women’s advancement.
In its statement, the NCWS described the maiden summit as a significant step towards strengthening women’s advocacy, encouraging collaboration across sectors and building a more inclusive democratic culture.
The council called on government institutions, political parties, development partners and traditional institutions to take practical steps towards increasing women’s participation in governance and decision-making.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to remaining a national platform for women’s empowerment, advocacy, peacebuilding and sustainable development.
The council expressed confidence that stronger partnerships and purposeful leadership would enable Nigerian women to play a greater role in building a peaceful, democratic and prosperous country.
Source: National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS).
