Adamawa
From April 9–11, 2025, the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) undertook a series of advocacy visits in Adamawa State to promote gender inclusion in governance and policy formulation.
The team engaged with strategic government stakeholders, including the Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, the Attorney General, the Clerk of the Assembly, and representatives of the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs. Discussions centered on the implementation of the 35% affirmative action, with stakeholders expressing willingness to support either a Gender Equality Bill or the development of a Gender Policy.
While there was strong interest in advancing gender reforms, the visits also highlighted systemic barriers within political structures and legislative limitations. The engagements reaffirmed the need for a strategic mix of high-level advocacy, sustained civil society collaboration, and institutional reform to achieve meaningful and lasting gender equality in the state.
Akwa-Ibom
From March 17–20, 2025, the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), with support from Open Society Foundations (OSF) and in partnership with the Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Path-Initiative (FEYREP), carried out high-level advocacy visits in Akwa-Ibom State to promote the implementation of the 35% Affirmative Action for women in leadership. The delegation engaged key stakeholders, including the Secretary to the State Government, Attorney General, State Assembly, and traditional leadership, to emphasize the importance of women’s representation in governance. Stakeholders expressed strong commitments to advancing gender-inclusive policies and legislation, while also highlighting persistent barriers such as financial constraints and cultural norms. The visit reinforced the importance of multi-level engagement and called for sustained advocacy and resource mobilization to increase women’s political participation at the state and grassroots levels.
Kano
From May 27–31, 2025, the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) conducted a high-level advocacy mission in Kano State to promote gender inclusion in governance and policymaking. Engaging stakeholders across the legislative, executive, and religious sectors, including the State House of Assembly, Attorney General’s office, Council of Ulama, and the Emirate Council, the visit aimed to address barriers to women’s political participation and push for the domestication of a gender policy in the state. While stakeholders expressed openness and shared significant milestones such as the election of a female ALGON Chairperson, challenges related to cultural, religious interpretations and structural imbalances remain. The team secured valuable commitments for collaboration and highlighted the importance of coalition-building, inclusive policy engagement, and strategic sensitization to drive sustainable gender equality in Kano.
Anambra
From June 10–13, 2025, the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) conducted a series of advocacy visits in Anambra State to promote gender inclusion and the implementation of the 35% Affirmative Action. Engaging with the Attorney General, the Clerk of the State Assembly, the Secretary to the State Government, and the Ministry of Women Affairs, the team explored policy and legislative pathways to strengthen women’s political participation. While key stakeholders expressed commitment to inclusive governance, challenges such as structural party barriers, societal norms, and cultural resistance were noted. The visit highlighted the need for continuous stakeholder engagement, gender policy domestication, and strategic public sensitization to institutionalize gender equality in the state.
Lagos
From June 10–13, 2025, a delegation from the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), supported by the Open Society Foundations (OSF), conducted a series of high-level advocacy visits in Lagos State to promote the implementation of the 35% Affirmative Action and the National Gender Policy. The team engaged with key stakeholders, including the Attorney General (represented by the Director for Citizens’ Rights), the Secretary to the State Government (represented by her Special Assistant), the Speaker of the House of Assembly, and the Oba of Lagos and his council of white cap chiefs. Stakeholders expressed appreciation for the initiative and acknowledged the importance of inclusive governance, with commitments made to sustain gender advocacy within cabinet discussions, traditional institutions, and local communities.
Kaduna
From April 28–30, 2025, the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), with support from the Open Society Foundations (OSF), conducted a series of advocacy visits in Kaduna State to advance the implementation of the 35% Affirmative Action for women’s leadership. Engaging key stakeholders including the Attorney General, the Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, and the Secretary to the State Government, the team explored strategies to institutionalize gender-inclusive governance. The visits highlighted Kaduna’s notable progress in promoting women’s participation, while also underscoring the need for stronger legal frameworks, enhanced education, and sustained multi-stakeholder advocacy to remove systemic barriers to women’s political and leadership inclusion.
Oyo
In May 2025, the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) conducted a series of high-level advocacy visits to key stakeholders in Oyo State to promote the implementation of the 35% Affirmative Action for women in governance. The team engaged with the Attorney General, the Olu Ibadan’s palace, the House of Assembly, and the Ministry of Women Affairs to assess the state’s commitment, identify advocacy entry points, and push for legislative action to domesticate the federal court ruling. The visits reinforced stakeholder support, highlighted persistent barriers to women’s political participation, and set the stage for a potential executive bill, mentorship initiatives, and sustained grassroots mobilization toward gender-inclusive governance.
Bauchi
In June 2025, the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) carried out a series of high-level advocacy visits in Bauchi State to promote the domestication and implementation of the 35% Affirmative Action for women in governance. Engaging key institutions including the House of Assembly, Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Justice, and traditional leaders, the visits reinforced stakeholder commitment to gender inclusion, identified entrenched cultural barriers, and highlighted the need for legal reforms, mentorship programs, and grassroots sensitization to enhance women’s representation in leadership across the state
Benue
In May 2025, the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), with support from the Open Society Foundation (OSF), conducted high-level advocacy visits to key stakeholders in Benue State to push for the implementation of the 35% Affirmative Action judgment. Engaging the Secretary to the State Government, the Attorney General’s office, the State House of Assembly, and a paramount traditional ruler, the mission secured strong verbal commitments to promote gender-inclusive governance, institutionalize women’s representation, and leverage both political and cultural platforms to advance women’s leadership in the state.
Edo
Sept 2 – 4, 2025.The Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), with support from Open Society Foundations (OSF), carried out a strategic advocacy visit to Edo State to promote the domestication of the 35% Affirmative Action judgment. The delegation engaged with the Edo State House of Assembly, represented by the Director in the Office of the Clerk, Mrs. Bekisu Oshone Wilson, and the Office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. A.O. Aigbavboa. The visits emphasized the importance of inclusive governance, securing commitments to advance women’s representation and identifying opportunities for collaboration with key state institutions to strengthen gender-responsive leadership.
Nassarawa
Sept 9 – 11, 2025. The Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), with support from Open Society Foundations (OSF), carried out a strategic advocacy visit to Nasarawa State to promote the domestication of the 35% Affirmative Action judgment. The delegation met with the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, represented by Permanent Secretary Mr. Jafam Y. Loko, and engaged other key actors to strengthen political will for women’s inclusion. The visit secured stronger alliances with the Speaker of the State Assembly and the Attorney General to prioritize women’s representation in political appointments, alongside an agreement to convene a state-level roundtable on women’s inclusion to advance gender-responsive governance.
Imo
Strategic Advocacy Visit to Imo State (September 16–18, 2025) The Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), with support from the Open Society Foundations (OSF), carried out high-level advocacy visits in Imo State to promote women’s increased representation in governance. The delegation engaged key stakeholders, including HRM Eze Dr. E.C. Okeke, the Eze Imo, alongside twelve red-cap chiefs; Mrs. Gloria Egwuagu, Solicitor General of the Imo State Ministry of Justice; and the Speaker and members of the Imo State House of Assembly, to emphasize the importance of inclusive governance and grassroots policy tracking.
Stakeholders expressed willingness to support efforts aimed at advancing gender-inclusive governance, while also acknowledging challenges such as entrenched cultural practices and limited political space for women. The visit reinforced the value of traditional, legal, and political actors working together and highlighted the need for sustained advocacy and coordinated mechanisms to increase women’s participation at both state and community levels.
Gombe
Strategic Advocacy Visit to Gombe State (September 23–25, 2025) The Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF), with support from Open Society Foundations (OSF), carried out a strategic advocacy visit to Gombe State to promote the domestication of the 35% Affirmative Action judgment. The delegation was received by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Alh. Zubair M. Umar, and also visited the Senior District Head, Alh. Bappa Mohammed, representing the Emir of Gombe. The engagements secured strategic buy-in from the State Assembly and the Ministry of Women Affairs, while also identifying potential women champions within governance structures to drive inclusive leadership.
