Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.webp
The Digest:

The Nigerian Senate leadership has removed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) from the country's delegation to the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) currently underway in New York, replacing her with a male senator despite the event focusing on women's issues. Akpoti-Uduaghan had initially complained on February 25 that she was sidelined despite submitting the required documents. Senate Committee on Women Affairs Chair Ireti Kingibe initially assured her inclusion, but a March 5 letter confirmed only Kingibe and Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire (Chairman, Judiciary Committee) as the final delegates. A Senate staff member alleged, anonymously, that Akpoti-Uduaghan was removed over concerns she might raise controversial issues and tarnish Nigeria's image, a reference to her ongoing sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Nigeria has one of the world's lowest female parliamentary representations at under 5%.

Key Points

  • Akpoti-Uduaghan was removed from the UN women's event delegation, replaced by a male senator.
  • The event focuses on improving justice access for women and girls.
  • Staff source alleges removal over fear she might raise sexual harassment allegations.
  • Nigeria's female parliamentary representation is below 5%, one of the world's lowest.
  • Critics say move undermines commitment to women's political inclusion.
A female senator was removed from a UN women's event, replaced by a man; Nigeria's delegation to CSW70 becomes a symbol of the very exclusion the forum seeks to address.

Sources: Premium Times, Daily Post