Nigeria’s Senate has 109 members, yet only four are women. This statistic alone highlights the severe gender imbalance in Nigerian politics. But beyond the numbers, what we are witnessing today is even worse—a blatant public display of sexism, silencing, and abuse of power against one of these women, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Last Friday, Senator Natasha accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment. Instead of following due process, the Senate dismissed her petition on procedural grounds and then went a step further—the ethics committee recommended her six-month suspension, claiming she had brought ridicule to the chamber.
She was denied a fair hearing, not even allowed to speak before her petition was thrown out. Even more troubling, the accused—Godswill Akpabio himself—presided over the proceedings. This is a clear conflict of interest. In any functioning democracy, an accused official steps aside to allow an independent investigation. But here in Nigeria, the system protects men in power while punishing women who dare to speak out.
Since making her accusations, Senator Natasha has been relentlessly attacked. She has faced name-calling, defamation, and outright humiliation, not just from politicians and colleagues but also from a society that is quick to demonize women who stand up for themselves.
This situation is not new. Women in Nigeria have historically been excluded from politics and positions of leadership. Only 7% of political positions in Nigeria are held by women, even though women make up almost half of the population. In elections, only 51% of Nigerian women vote, reflecting a deep-seated disengagement caused by years of systematic exclusion and discouragement.
Historically, Nigerian women have always had to fight for political participation. From the Aba Women’s Riot of 1929 to the feminist movements of today, women have been pushing against a political system designed to keep them out. Even in modern Nigeria, cultural and societal norms reinforce male dominance, making it difficult for women to rise in politics.
The struggle for women’s empowerment has been hindered by outdated traditions that see women as supporters rather than leaders. Policies like the National Gender Policy, which aims for 35% female representation in government, have remained largely unimplemented.
What This Means for Women in Nigeria
What happened to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan sends a dangerous message:
“Women who speak out will be punished, powerful men can get away with anything, and the system will always protect male politicians, not female victims.”
How can Nigeria claim to be progressive when its own lawmakers silence women instead of listening to them? How can victims of sexual harassment feel safe speaking out when they see how Senator Natasha is being treated?
This is bigger than one senator. This is about the misogyny embedded in Nigerian politics. If a female senator—one of the highest-ranking women in government—can be treated like this, what hope is there for the average Nigerian woman seeking justice?
This is a shameful moment for Nigeria’s Senate. A moment that will be remembered not just for its injustice but for what it reveals about the deep-rooted misogyny in our institutions.
Enough Is Enough.
The Nigerian government and its people must decide: Will we continue to silence and punish women for demanding accountability? Or will we finally create a system that treats women as equal citizens?
It is time to demand justice, accountability, and equal treatment for women in Nigeria. Anything less is a national disgrace.