ActionAid Demands Passage of Special Seats Bill as Nigeria Marks International Women’s Day

By: Michael Mike

As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark International Women’s Day 2026, ActionAid Nigeria has called for urgent political and institutional reforms to end the persistent marginalisation of women, warning that gender inequality continues to undermine democratic governance and social justice in the country.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, the organisation said the continued underrepresentation of women in governance and the widespread prevalence of gender-based violence highlight a deep structural imbalance that requires immediate government intervention.

The Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, said the theme of this year’s commemoration, “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” must translate into real policy actions rather than ceremonial commitments.

He noted that despite the existence of several legal and policy frameworks aimed at protecting women’s rights, millions of Nigerian women still face violence, discrimination and exclusion from decision-making spaces.

Citing figures from the National Bureau of Statistics Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, the organisation revealed that about 30 per cent of Nigerian women aged between 15 and 49—an estimated 35.65 million people—have experienced physical violence since the age of 15. Additionally, around nine per cent of women, representing more than 10 million individuals, have suffered sexual violence.

ActionAid also raised concerns over Nigeria’s poor record in women’s political representation. According to data referenced from the World Bank, women occupy less than four per cent of seats in the National Assembly of Nigeria, with only 20 female lawmakers out of the 469-member legislature.

The organisation further observed that while states such as Anambra State and Lagos State have made modest progress in promoting women’s participation in governance, at least 15 states—including Kano State and Sokoto State—currently have no women serving in their state assemblies.

The group also highlighted the education gap affecting girls, referencing data from UNICEF which shows that Nigeria remains among countries with the highest number of out-of-school children globally, with girls disproportionately affected, particularly in northern communities.

According to ActionAid, the statistics represent real-life struggles faced by millions of girls forced to abandon education due to poverty and harmful cultural practices, as well as survivors of sexual and gender-based violence who often encounter stigma and weak justice systems.

While acknowledging the role of civil society organisations and development partners in advancing women’s empowerment programmes, the organisation said systemic obstacles within governance structures continue to slow meaningful progress.

ActionAid Nigeria noted that between 2019 and 2024, it implemented one of the country’s largest women’s rights programmes, supporting more than one million women through economic empowerment initiatives, political participation platforms and gender-based violence prevention programmes.

However, the organisation stressed that structural reforms remain critical, particularly the proposed Special Seats Bill, which seeks to reserve 74 legislative seats for women as a temporary measure to address the severe gender imbalance in Nigeria’s political institutions.

It described the bill as a transformative reform capable of significantly improving women’s political participation and strengthening inclusive governance.

ActionAid therefore urged federal and state governments to prioritise gender-responsive public investments, improve access to healthcare and education for women and girls, and strengthen justice mechanisms to ensure timely responses to cases of sexual and gender-based violence.

The organisation also called on Nigeria’s First Lady to champion the passage of the Special Seats Bill as a landmark initiative that could reshape the country’s democratic landscape and expand opportunities for women in leadership.

It further appealed to international development partners to increase funding for women-led organisations and protect civic spaces where women’s rights advocates operate.

ActionAid Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to working with stakeholders across the country to build a society where women and girls can live free from violence, exercise their rights fully and participate meaningfully in shaping Nigeria’s future.

ActionAid Demands Passage of Special Seats Bill as Nigeria Marks International Women’s Day

FG Releases Emergency Contacts for Nigerians in Middle East Amid Escalating Crisis

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has released emergency contact numbers for Nigerian nationals residing in the Middle East as tensions continue to escalate across the region.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nigeria in Abuja, the government urged Nigerians living in affected countries to immediately register with the nearest Nigerian diplomatic mission and maintain close communication with officials for guidance and assistance.

The ministry said the contact numbers have been activated to support Nigerians who may require urgent assistance due to the ongoing security situation in parts of the Middle East.

According to the statement, affected citizens are advised to remain calm, follow directives issued by local authorities, and keep in touch with Nigerian embassies and consulates for updates regarding safety measures and possible evacuation arrangements.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform Nigerian nationals in the Middle East that communication channels have been established through the various Nigerian missions in the region,” the statement said.

It added that Nigerians who require emergency support should reach out to the missions through the following phone numbers:

Emergency Contact Numbers for Nigerian Missions in the Middle East

Iran: +989393216872, +989024165493

Israel: +972543340414, +972503673175

Jordan: +962795669949, +962799430414

Lebanon: +96181669403, +96170848080

Qatar: +97466802029, +97450733786

Saudi Arabia: +966503862894, +966532198524

United Arab Emirates: +971504252546, +971503761332

The ministry stressed that the Nigerian missions are working closely with host governments and international partners to monitor developments and ensure the safety of Nigerian citizens.

Authorities also reiterated that Nigerians in the region should remain where they are until further instructions are issued, particularly in areas where security conditions remain fluid.

The government assured that contingency plans are being coordinated should evacuation become necessary, noting that diplomatic missions have been placed on alert to provide consular assistance to citizens in distress.

The advisory comes amid rising regional tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel, a development that has prompted several countries to issue safety alerts to their nationals in the Middle East.

Officials said further updates would be communicated through Nigerian missions and official government channels as the situation evolves.

FG Releases Emergency Contacts for Nigerians in Middle East Amid Escalating Crisis

Nigeria Issues Emergency Contacts for Citizens in Middle East Amid Escalating Crisis

By: Michael Mike

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Nigeria) has released emergency contact details for Nigerian citizens residing across the Middle East as tensions continue to escalate in parts of the region.

In a public advisory issued in Abuja on Saturday, the ministry urged Nigerians affected by the ongoing crisis to immediately reach out to the nearest Nigerian diplomatic missions and ensure they are properly registered with the embassy or consulate in their country of residence.

The advisory, signed by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa said the move was aimed at strengthening communication between Nigerian authorities and citizens who may require urgent assistance.

According to the statement, Nigerian missions across the region have activated established communication channels to provide support, including emergency guidance and possible evacuation coordination where necessary.

“Nigerian citizens affected by the ongoing crisis should contact the following mobile numbers in case of emergency and also ensure that they are registered with the respective embassy or consulate in their country of residence,” the statement said.

The ministry listed several diplomatic missions and dedicated emergency lines for Nigerians across the region, including the Embassy of Nigeria, Tehran in Iran, the Embassy of Nigeria, Tel Aviv in Israel, and the Embassy of Nigeria, Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

Other missions providing emergency contacts include the Consulate-General of Nigeria, Dubai, the Embassy of Nigeria, Kuwait which also covers Bahrain, the Embassy of Nigeria, Doha in Qatar, the Embassy of Nigeria, Beirut in Lebanon, the Embassy of Nigeria, Riyadh and the Consulate-General of Nigeria, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, as well as the Embassy of Nigeria, Amman in Jordan which also covers Iraq.

The ministry stressed that Nigerians in the region should remain vigilant, stay in contact with diplomatic missions and follow safety advisories issued by local authorities.

The advisory comes amid heightened security tensions across parts of the Middle East, prompting several countries to activate emergency support mechanisms for their citizens abroad.

Officials said the Nigerian government continues to monitor the situation closely through its embassies and consulates while exploring measures to ensure the safety and welfare of Nigerians living and working in the region.

Nigeria Issues Emergency Contacts for Citizens in Middle East Amid Escalating Crisis