Lagos, NIGERIA – Welcome to Nigeria, where we trust our women to bring us medals and trophies, but refuse them a chance to largely participate in politics.
Listen to the author read this commentary:
Time and time again, Nigerian women have proved that they are capable of handling tough situations. One good example is the recently concluded Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which saw the Super Falcons of Nigeria come back from being a goal down to scoring two and claiming the title for the 10th time, the most of any African country.
Talk basketball and you’ll find the D’Tigress of Nigeria also were crowned champions at the FIBA – an international basketball association – Women’s Afro Basket Tournament for the fifth consecutive time.
Even in the music industry, Tems, a Nigerian woman, claimed Grammy awards in 2023 and 2025.
We celebrate them and we are inspired by their wins, so why not give them a fair chance to show us how to run a government?
All women might not have the physical strength of men but, that’s biology.
We don’t need muscles to run a functioning government, we need accountability, mental power, integrity and a willingness to serve.
Our women have shown they have an equal amount of what it takes – and maybe more – to contribute in a major way to the governance of the country.
Dominic Crown is a Junior Reporter with Youth Journalism International from Lagos, Nigeria. He wrote this commentary.
Dorothy Quanteh is a Junior Reporter with Youth Journalism International from Maryland, U.S.A. She made the illustration.
