By Angela Atabo
TOS Foundation Africa, in partnership with the Embassy of Switzerland in Nigeria, has unveiled ‘HerCademy’ legislative mentorship programme, aimed at preparing women for public offices and effective legislative leadership.
Speaking at the opening of the programme in Abuja, the Founder of TOS Foundation Africa, Osasu Igbinedion-Ogwuche, called for a systemic change in Nigeria’s political landscape.
According to her, Nigeria does not lack capable women, but a system that expects women to lead and structures that support them to win and govern effectively.
Igbinedion-Ogwuche noted that the ‘HerCademy’ programme was designed to move beyond access and focus on building real political power and competence among women.
“This is not just about participation; it is about power, equipping women to understand how laws are made, how systems work and how to lead with competence and clarity,” she said.
Igbinedion-Ogwuche said that the six-week programme would bring together aspiring female leaders from across the country for intensive training, mentorship and legislative simulations.
Also speaking, the Switzerland Chargé d’Affaires to Nigeria, Siamak Rouhani, emphasised the urgency of the intervention, considering Nigeria’s low representation of women in national politics.
“Women make up less than five per cent of Nigeria’s National Assembly, the lowest rate of female parliamentary representation in Africa.
“So, supporting aspiring women leaders is critical to building a stronger democratic system.
“By investing in these aspiring parliamentarians, we are advancing inclusive governance as the backbone of a stable and prosperous society,” Rouhani said.
In her remarks, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja, Mrs Gill Lever, underscored the realities women faced in political leadership.
“Influence is not just about winning a seat. Effective leadership is what you do after you get the title and how you deliver outcomes in systems not designed for you,” she stated.
According to Lever, power is rarely given to women; it is usually negotiated and sometimes taken.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that participants will receive hands-on training in legislative processes, policy development and political strategy skills.
NAN also reports that the training is designed to position the participants not only to run for political offices but to govern effectively, especially as Nigeria continues to grapple with the gap between constitutional equality and political reality.
The programme is expected to serve as a bold intervention to ensure that more women are not only elected but fully prepared to lead and deliver.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq
