Stakeholders call for women's inclusion in Nigeria's leadership and security

Stakeholders at the ITeach Africa Initiative Summit 2026 in Abuja have called for increased female inclusion in leadership, governance, and national security to foster development and combat insecurity. The summit, held at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addressed how issues such as kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism disproportionately affect vulnerable women.

Representatives from the Nigerian Ministry of Defence and the Civil Service of the Federation emphasized that women’s participation in decision-making is essential for nation-building and addressing complex security challenges.

In a related push for empowerment, advocates at a leadership programme graduation in Abuja stressed the necessity of investing in girl-child education. They argued that empowering young women is a critical tool for national growth and a preventative measure against human trafficking and exploitation.