It’s time for women to rise and claim leadership roles in Nigeria – Atoyebi

Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi is an award-winning investigative journalist, former Sports Editor, and has served as a special adviser to two past ministers. She is a Masters degree holder in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, with professional certification from Harvard Business School and University of Cambridge. With over 18 years of experience in media, governance, and advocacy, she has made contributions to sports journalism, policy development, and gender equality in Nigeria. She has worked with top media organisations, using her platform to promote transparency, good governance, and social justice.

She is the Founder and Executive Director of FAME Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to empowering women and girls through education, sports, and advocacy. Under her leadership, the Foundation has partnered with local and international organisations to implement community-driven programs.

Aderonke is a highly respected media strategist and policy analyst, and has played a role in shaping national conversations on governance and gender rights. Through her journalism, policy advisory, and grassroots initiatives, she continues to be a driving force for meaningful change in Nigeria, advocating for equity, development, and accountability.

She is currently the Technical Assistant, Broadcast Media at Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). In this interview with ADAMU ABUH, she speaks on the plight of women and steps that need to be taken to empower women in the country.

As the world celebrates women’s day, what’s your take on women empowerment in the country?
There has been remarkable progress in women empowerment advocacy drive in Nigeria, although we still have a long way to go, especially the total eradication of chauvinism and patriarchy. Growing up and working in Nigeria, I have seen how women are increasingly breaking barriers in education, business, leadership in the private and public sector. However, many still face discrimination, financial exclusion, and limited political representation. True empowerment means more than just policies; it is about the creation of opportunities and an enabling environment. Women need better access to funding, protection from gender-based violence, and a stronger voice in decision-making. I also think changing societal mindsets is just as important as government action. Until we stop seeing women as secondary in certain areas, real progress will be slow. Nigeria has the potential to fully empower its women, but it requires continuous effort, not just once a year on Women’s Day when we all call for action.

Don’t you think religion and culture is responsible for the plight of women in the country?
Religion and culture play a big role in the challenges women face in Nigeria. In some cultures, women are often expected to focus on family and household duties (some people will say, women belong in the kitchen) instead of pursuing education, dreams or careers. This leads to few opportunities for women. Practices like early marriage and limited inheritance rights really hold women back. While I believe both Islam and Christianity promote fairness and justice, some misinterpretations are used to justify practices that hurt women. For example, in some areas, religious leaders support early marriage, which limits women’s freedom and rights. However, the problem is not religion or culture itself, but how some people interpret and enforce these beliefs. Religious and traditional leaders can play important roles in promoting gender equality while respecting traditions. For us to move forward as a nation, there needs to be a change in how religion and culture are viewed and practiced, making sure women’s rights are respected without completely rejecting cultural or religious values.

Some have argued that the inability of women to work in concert is responsible for the plights suffered by women in the country?
Do women support each other? Yes, some do, and some don’t. In Nigeria, there are instances where women come together to fight for common causes, but there are also cases where competition or divisions make it harder for women to unite. These divisions can stem from differences in religion, culture, social class, or personal ambitions. When women fail to support each other, it weakens our collective power to bring about change. In politics, business, or social movements, if women do not collaborate or stand together, it becomes difficult to challenge the systems that hold us back. Instead of working towards shared goals, divisions create opportunities for others to maintain control over our rights and opportunities.

As women, we have the higher population in Nigeria, but I tend to ask this question – when women contest for an elective post for example, why can’t all women vote for the woman at the poll and use their population and higher advantage to help their fellow women to win? Why would women electorates vote for men instead of women? This conversation is hard but it is the reality. Why are some women selective in their advocacy for women? Why are some engaged in biased advocacy? Why do we choose to support women based on their looks, influence, the political class, personal gains or biased political alignment and/or beliefs instead of what they can offer? When are we going to be ready to truly support one another especially in elective posts? Are we ready for this conversation? When female appointees employ females instead of males on their teams, we will start talking. It’s a shame when women in leadership roles surround themselves with male staff. Meanwhile, there are some women who are intentionally working with and uplifting other women. Those ones have earned my respect; they exist.

What measure is required to ensure equitable participation of women in the governance of the country?
The truth is, yes, we are making progress, but there’s still a lot more to be done. To ensure women have an equal chance to participate in governance in Nigeria, we need to take more steps. First, Nigerians should introduce gender quotas in political offices. By reserving a certain percentage of seats for women, we can ensure that women have an automatic presence in decision-making spaces, which is necessary for fair representation. Political parties, along with Nigerians, also need to actively support women candidates. This means providing the necessary funding, mentorship, and building networks to make it easier for women to run for top political offices. Without these supports, it’s much harder for women to succeed in politics. We also need to raise awareness about women’s rights and encourage greater participation in politics. Women must understand their political rights, and there should be a focus on the importance of electing more women into positions of power. A key aspect of this is addressing the rising violence and harassment against women. Threats, intimidation, and violence discourage women from participating in anything because of fear.

Stronger laws and enforcement will create a safer environment for women in governance. Lastly, we need family support systems that enable women to balance family life and political careers.

Policies like paid maternity leave, accessible childcare, and flexible working hours are needed. These measures will allow women to participate in governance without having to choose between their families and their careers. If we implement these changes, we can ensure women have an equal chance to fully participate in Nigeria’s governance.

There are fears that the burden women face would be worsened with the passage of the Tax Reforms Bill?
Women should not fear the passage of the tax reforms bill. In fact, this reform has the power to go a long way in supporting us. The additional revenue generated by the bill can be used to improve services like healthcare and education, which many women rely on daily. By making these services more affordable and accessible, the burden many women carry in managing their families’ needs could be greatly reduced. For women in business, this reform could provide access to financial resources, such as loans and support for small businesses. We have lots of women as entrepreneurs, and this could help them grow their businesses and achieve financial independence. Additionally, the increased revenue can be invested in programmes designed to empower women. These programmes could include skills development, mentorship, and job creation in industries where women are often underrepresented. This would open up more career opportunities for women and provide pathways to leadership roles in sectors like technology, engineering, and other fields. Rather than worsening the burden on women, the tax reform bill has the power to create opportunities and make life easier for women across Nigeria.

Are there benefits derivable for women if the National Assembly passes the bill and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assents to it?
As I mentioned earlier, the tax reform bill is an amazing opportunity for women, and Mr. President knows exactly what he is doing. This reform is not just for men; it’s for everyone, including us women! This is Nigeria and women deserve to be part of this progress. The revenue generated will go into improving services like healthcare and education, making them more affordable and accessible, especially for women juggling family and work. The tax reform bill will fund programmes that empower women. We can talk of more leadership training, mentorship, and job opportunities in fields where women have been underrepresented. This is our time to rise, break barriers, and claim leadership roles! The tax reform bill is a huge win for women and all I can say is let’s make it happen.