The irony is hard to miss. In a move that has sparked controversy and raised eyebrows across Nigeria, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been removed from Nigeria’s delegation to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) – a conference specifically focused on advancing women’s rights and gender equality.
The Kogi Central Senator’s replacement? A male senator, Adeniyi Adegbonmire.
What Is CSW70 and Why Does This Matter?
The 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women is currently underway at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, running from March 9 to 19. This year’s focus is on improving access to justice for women and girls while advancing gender equality across all member states.
Given the conference’s explicit focus on women’s issues, many Nigerians are questioning why a female senator would be replaced by a male counterpart to represent Nigeria at such a critical gathering.
The Controversy Unfolds
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan first raised the alarm during a Senate Committee on Appropriations meeting on February 25. According to her account, she was initially invited by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to join the delegation. She promptly submitted her international passport details within hours of the request.
However, she was later informed that she could no longer attend because her passport information was submitted “late” – a claim that contradicts her assertion that she responded within hours.
Senate Committee Chair Speaks Out
Senator Ireti Kingibe, who chairs the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, initially denied that Akpoti-Uduaghan had been removed from the delegation. Kingibe explained that she had recommended the Kogi senator after two other female senators – Idiat Adebule and Ipalibo Banigo – declined the invitation.
In a show of solidarity, Kingibe even stated that if Akpoti-Uduaghan didn’t attend, she would also stay back.
However, in a letter dated March 5 and addressed to Akpoti-Uduaghan, Kingibe clarified that the Ministry of Women Affairs had not responded to requests to sponsor delegation members. The Senate eventually approved only two members for the trip: Kingibe herself, as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, and Senator Adegbonmire, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters.
Kingibe apologized for any inconvenience and suggested that Akpoti-Uduaghan could join the delegation on her own if she possessed a valid United States visa.
The Bigger Picture
This development raises important questions about Nigeria’s commitment to gender equality, especially when it comes to representing the country at international forums dedicated to women’s advancement.
Critics argue that replacing a female senator with a male counterpart at a conference specifically designed to address women’s issues sends the wrong message about Nigeria’s seriousness regarding gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with significant gender disparities in politics, education, and economic opportunities, incidents like this underscore the ongoing challenges women face in accessing platforms and opportunities – even when those platforms are explicitly created for them.
The Senate has yet to issue a comprehensive statement explaining the rationale behind this controversial decision.
What do you think about this development? Should Nigerian women leaders have been prioritized for this delegation? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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