NILOWV FCT Chapter @30/Award
The FCT Chapter of the National League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) has marked its 30th Anniversary with a celebration and award ceremony, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening women’s participation in leadership, governance and democratic development.
Speaking at the event, the FCT Chapter Chairman of NILOWV, Comrade Sandra Ogbonna, called for sustained efforts to strengthen the women’s movement and ensure that women remain actively involved in Nigeria’s democratic process. She emphasised the need for women to work together, build stronger structures and encourage greater participation in leadership and governance.
The anniversary celebration was held in Abuja as part of the 2026 Annual General Meeting and 30th Anniversary activities of NILOWV, under the theme: “Building a Sustainable Women’s Movement for Democratic Development.”
The event provided an opportunity for members, women leaders, partners and stakeholders to reflect on the organisation’s three-decade journey and the role of women in advancing democracy in Nigeria.
In her welcome address, President of NILOWV, Hon. Irene Awunah-Ikyegh, said the 30th anniversary was an opportunity to reflect on the organisation’s journey while examining what must be done to strengthen women’s participation in leadership, governance and democratic processes.
She noted that NILOWV’s journey began in 1996, at a difficult period in Nigeria’s political history, when women’s organisations and activists continued to organise, advocate and demand greater space for women’s voices.
According to her, the contributions of women who sustained advocacy during challenging periods helped lay important foundations for the democratic environment enjoyed in Nigeria today.
Awunah-Ikyegh stressed that the struggle for women’s participation must go beyond election periods, noting that sustainable progress requires continuous voter education, strong leadership, effective partnerships and accountability.
She challenged participants to reflect on how far the women’s movement has come, the challenges it has encountered and what must be done differently to ensure that younger generations inherit a stronger movement.
The NILOWV president also urged women’s organisations to learn from experiences across Africa and other parts of the world while adapting useful lessons to Nigeria’s peculiar social and political environment.
She said the anniversary should serve as a bridge between the organisation’s history and its future, while recognising the sacrifices of founding members, past leaders, volunteers and partners who contributed to the growth of the movement.
Dr. Lotana Okoye Delivers Keynote Address
The anniversary programme featured a keynote address by Dr. Lotana Okoye, who spoke on the significance of sustaining the women’s movement and its contribution to democratic development.
The keynote provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress, challenges and future direction of women’s participation in Nigeria’s political and democratic space.
Dr. Okoye’s contribution formed part of the broader conversation at the anniversary, which focused on how women and women-led organisations can strengthen their collective voice, build sustainable structures and remain relevant across generations.
Barrister Lydia Odeh Speaks on Women’s Movement
Barrister Lydia Odeh also delivered a lecture at the anniversary gathering, contributing to discussions on the role of women in democratic development and the need to sustain the gains made by previous generations.
Her lecture formed part of the intellectual and advocacy-focused sessions designed to encourage reflection on the challenges facing women and the strategies required to strengthen women’s participation in leadership and governance.
The contributions of Dr. Okoye and Barrister Odeh added depth to the anniversary discussions as participants examined the past, present and future of the women’s movement in Nigeria.
Awards and Goodwill Messages
The anniversary programme also featured the presentation of awards to deserving members, recognising their contributions to NILOWV and the broader women’s movement.
A representative of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) delivered a goodwill message in solidarity with NILOWV on the occasion of its 30th anniversary.
The celebration brought together women leaders, members, partners, guests and other stakeholders to commemorate NILOWV’s three-decade journey and discuss the future of women’s participation in Nigeria’s democratic development.
As NILOWV marks 30 years, the anniversary has renewed calls for a stronger and more sustainable women’s movement that remains active beyond election periods and continues to promote civic engagement, leadership, voter education and democratic participation.
The event therefore served not only as a celebration of NILOWV’s 30-year journey, but also as a renewed call for women to remain organised, informed and actively involved in shaping Nigeria’s democratic future.
Credit: Media360Impact Report | Information supplied from NILOWV 2026 Annual General Meeting and 30th Anniversary proceedings.
