As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections, stakeholders are calling for stronger gender inclusion across leadership and governance.

The appeal was made during the 2026 International Women’s Day event organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in Abuja.

Hadiza Bala Usman highlighted barriers such as limited access to finance and rigid work systems that affect women’s progress.

She noted that many women leave the workforce at critical stages due to lack of institutional support, creating leadership gaps.

Also, Agbu Kefas stressed that empowering women leads to stronger communities and national development.

Participants agreed that deliberate policies supporting women’s inclusion will drive economic growth and long-term stability in Nigeria.