Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has said Nigeria cannot fully realize its economic, political and institutional potential if women are unable to participate meaningfully in governance, diplomacy and public leadership.
Bamidele spoke in New York while chairing the presentation of the book, The Female Diplomat: Navigating Power, Ambition and Identity, at Nigeria House.
The event drew senior Nigerian and international officials, including United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Nigeria’s representatives in the United States and at the United Nations.
Bamidele argued that gender inclusion should not be treated as an act of favour but as an investment in the country’s human capital and institutional strength.
He said democratic institutions would be more representative and effective when the talents of women and young people were fully integrated into national life.
According to him, the administration’s policy direction had recognized the importance of broad participation, but genuine inclusion required more than simply increasing the number of women appointed to public positions.
He said institutions must create conditions in which women can contribute meaningfully to decision-making and national development.
“No nation can realise its full potential if a significant proportion of its population is unable to contribute fully to governance, diplomacy, economic development and public leadership,” he said.
