by FIDATurning Strategy into Impact: FIDA Nigeria Reviews Progress on Its 2026–2031 Strategic Plan
Plans only matter when they change lives.
At FIDA Nigeria’s 2nd Quarter NEC Meeting 2026, members assessed the implementation of the 2026–2031 Strategic Plan and confronted a simple question: How do we reach more women and children who need justice now?
The answer includes stronger shelter services, practical support for survivors, and legal aid that doesn’t stop at the courtroom.
#FIDANigeria #NECMeeting2026
by FIDABuilding an Inclusive Democracy: FIDA Nigeria’s CLE Session Advances Women’s Representation in Governance
What does it take to build a democracy where women don’t just vote—but help shape the decisions that govern everyone?
That question was at the heart of the Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Session at FIDA Nigeria’s 2nd Quarter NEC Meeting 2026, which focused on “Strengthening Women’s Representation in Democratic Governance: Law, Policy and Practice.”
Moderated by Dr. Ozioma Izuora, the session brought together Dr. Boma Tonye Miebai, Zainab Bello Aliyu, and Oluwakemi Omeiza-Usman for a candid conversation on breaking systemic barriers, strengthening legal and policy frameworks, and creating real pathways for more women to participate in leadership and governance.
The message was unmistakable: meaningful representation doesn’t happen by chance. It requires deliberate laws, bold policy reforms, sustained advocacy, and collective action.
Because when women help shape decisions, democracy becomes more inclusive, more responsive, and stronger for everyone.
What practical steps do you believe Nigeria must take to ensure more women lead where it matters most?
#FIDANigeria #NECMeeting2026
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria Opens Q2 2026 NEC Meeting with Call to Strengthen Women’s Representation in Democratic Governance
The Opening Ceremony of the FIDA Nigeria Second Quarter 2026 National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting opened an important conversation about the place of women in Nigeria’s democratic process—and what it will take to ensure they are fully represented where decisions are made.
Held under the theme, “Strengthening Women’s Representation in Democratic Governance: Law, Policy and Practice,” the ceremony brought together members of the judiciary, legal practitioners, development partners and other stakeholders committed to advancing reforms that strengthen women’s participation in governance.
In her welcome address, FIDA Nigeria’s Country Vice President/National President, Mrs. Eliana Martins, reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to promoting legal, institutional and policy reforms that expand opportunities for women to participate in leadership and public decision-making.
Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Amb. Nkoyo Esu Toyo called for sustained legislative reforms, stronger institutions and coordinated action to address the barriers that continue to limit women’s political participation in Nigeria.
The ceremony was graced by the Chairman, Hon. Justice Husseini Baba Yusuf, Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory; Her Excellency, Hon. Justice Suzette Eberechi Nyesom Wike, JCA, Matron of FIDA Abuja Branch; Mrs. Ezinwa Okoroafor, FIDA International President; Mr. Jibrin Samuel Okutepa, SAN, Patron of FIDA Abuja Branch; Ms. Ebere Ifendu, President of the Women in Politics Forum; CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, PhD, Commissioner of Police, FCT Command; alongside other distinguished guests whose presence underscored the importance of advancing inclusive governance.
Women’s representation is not simply about increasing numbers. It is about ensuring that the policies and decisions shaping Nigeria reflect the experiences, perspectives and aspirations of all its people.
#FIDANigeria
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria Joins Civil Society Situation Room and Other Stakeholders in Urgent Call for Immediate Passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025
1.0 Introduction
The credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 General Elections is already under threat — not from voters, not from INEC, but from legislative delay.
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Nigeria) expresses deep concern and strong dismay over the continued delay by the National Assembly, particularly the Nigerian Senate, in concluding the legislative process on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, despite its passage by the Federal House of Representatives.
This delay is not only unjustifiable, but also dangerous. It undermines early and lawful preparations by Nigerians—especially women—who are already working assiduously to participate, contest, and represent their constituencies in the 2027 General Elections.
FIDA Nigeria reiterates that the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 is designed to introduce critical reforms and provide clarity on ambiguities that have continued to plague Nigeria’s electoral process. Its passage will help prevent conflicting interpretations and inconsistent application of rules governing voter accreditation, result transmission, and collation procedures.
The Bill also seeks to address major deficiencies observed in recent elections, including clearer legal backing for electronic transmission of results, provisions for early voting, and tougher sanctions for electoral offences. Electoral integrity will therefore suffer significantly if this Bill is not passed timeously.
FIDA Nigeria recalls that the Federal House of Representatives completed legislative action on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, passing it on 23 December 2025 after extensive deliberations. In contrast, the Senate has yet to discharge its constitutional responsibility on this priority legislation, despite public commitments made by the Joint Committees on Electoral Matters of both chambers to ensure passage of the Bill before the end of the year.
One of the most significant innovations contained in the Bill is the provision for electronic transmission of election results. This provision gives legal backing for electronic transmission of results to the INEC Election Results Viewing Portal (IREV), while still maintaining the manual process—ensuring both processes run concurrently.
If passed, this provision could significantly reduce result manipulation at polling units and during collation. It further gives legal weight to result sheets uploaded on INEC’s portal, making them credible evidence for confirming votes scored by parties or exposing electoral malpractice.
FIDA Nigeria notes that the issues addressed in the Bill are neither novel nor unforeseen. Both chambers of the 10th National Assembly identified electoral reform as a core legislative priority. The continued failure of the Senate to conclude work on a Bill already passed by the House of Representatives reflects poor legislative coordination, weak prioritization, and a troubling disregard for the democratic yearnings of Nigerian citizens—particularly Nigerian women.
2.0 Call to Action
In view of the foregoing, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Nigeria) demands as follows:
A. That the Nigerian Senate concludes work on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 with urgency upon resumption and passes the Bill without further delay.
B. That upon passage, the Bill is transmitted immediately to the President for assent, so the revised legal framework is in force well ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
3.0 Conclusion
FIDA Nigeria, in partnership with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room and other credible civil society actors, will continue to demand the immediate passage and assent of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025.
Nigeria cannot afford further slippage. Any additional delay threatens the integrity of the entire 2027 election cycle and weakens public confidence in democratic governance.
The Senate must act—urgently, responsibly, and in the national interest.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
God bless FIDA Nigeria.
Eliana Martins
Country Vice President / National President
Chineze Obianyo
National Publicity Secretary
by FIDA16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER BASED VIOLENCE 2025
Theme: “UNiTE! Invest to End Digital Violence against Women and Girls”
Digital violence has become one of the fastest growing and most alarming forms of abuse in our society today. It mirrors, and too often magnifies, the deep rooted gender inequalities already entrenched in our communities. This must stop.
Every day, women and girls are confronted with relentless forms of online violence including:
A. Online Harassment: Unwanted messages that create discomfort or fear.
B. Cyberbullying: Repeated hurtful or demeaning messages.
C. Trolling: Inflammatory comments aimed at provoking or humiliating individuals.
D. Doxing: Sharing personal information without consent.
E. Image Based Abuse: Posting or distributing intimate images without permission.
F. Online Stalking: Unwanted monitoring of one’s online activities.
G. Hate Speech: Discriminatory or demeaning content targeting individuals or groups.
H. Impersonation: Fake accounts created to damage reputation.
I. Gaslighting: Manipulating individuals into doubting their reality.
J. Sextortion: Threatening to release explicit content unless demands are met.
FIDA Nigeria acknowledges that these forms of online violence leave deep psychological, emotional, and reputational scars. They also deprive women and girls of the learning, earning, and leadership opportunities that digital platforms provide.
The internet, once a space for innovation, connection, empowerment, and expression, is increasingly being weaponized against the most vulnerable. As a result, many women and girls retreat from digital spaces out of fear of harassment, identity theft, impersonation, blackmail, or malicious AI generated falsehoods about their lives. This withdrawal limits their access to the countless opportunities technology offers for growth and development.
In an age where technology should bridge gaps and create opportunities, Nigerian women and girls are still being pushed out of digital spaces by targeted abuse and harassment. This erosion of confidence and opportunity undermines their rights to free expression, privacy, safety, and participation, and stalls national efforts toward gender equality and inclusive development.
This crisis persists despite existing laws such as the Cybercrimes Prohibition Prevention etc Act 2015 and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act 2015. Weak enforcement, anonymity of perpetrators, limited awareness, inadequate digital literacy, and insufficient accountability from tech platforms all contribute to impunity.
As we begin the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence with a focus on digital violence, FIDA Nigeria calls for immediate, united, and decisive action.
We urge government agencies, law enforcement, and policymakers to strengthen enforcement of relevant laws, adopt survivor centered approaches, and ensure swift prosecution of offenders.
We call on tech companies to assume greater responsibility by enforcing clear rules of engagement, removing harmful content promptly, and educating users on safety and reporting channels.
Equally important is sustained public awareness to promote digital literacy, responsible online conduct, and safety knowledge. Working collaboratively with development partners, we must create safe online spaces, empower survivors to speak out, and encourage timely reporting and access to justice.
Digital violence must never be trivialized or dismissed as free speech. It is violence, real and harmful, and must be treated as such. The safety of women and girls cannot end at the click of a button.
FIDA Nigeria insists that the digital world must uphold the same standards of dignity, privacy, respect, and protection that apply offline.
Let us UNiTE with collective resolve to end digital violence.
Signed:
Eliana Martins
Country Vice President and National President FIDA Nigeria
Chineze Obianyo
National Publicity Secretary and Editor in Chief
FIDA Nigeria
by FIDAFIDA Nigeria Decries Persistent Abductions, Demands Comprehensive Strategy to End the Menace
As a nation, education must be guaranteed for every child, delivered in environments that are safe, nurturing, and peaceful, where care and protection are assured so that every child can grow and become their best.
We invest heavily in advocacy promoting education. Yet, when children finally make it into the classroom, what becomes of them?
Time and again, we are confronted with devastating news of attacks on schools and the abduction of students, particularly girls, leaving parents terrified and grieving while school authorities struggle to find effective measures to protect the children entrusted to them.
How many more children must be taken before the government adopts aggressive and proactive measures to end this menace?
The abduction of at least 25 girls in Kebbi State, alongside the cold-blooded killing of a vice principal and a security guard who bravely resisted, strikes at the very core of our humanity. We cannot remain unmoved. This tragedy inflicts a pain that words can scarcely describe.
Communities are deeply scarred, carrying the weight of repeated tragedies. Every new abduction reopens these wounds, leaving families in anguish and entire communities in despair.
A nation that cannot safeguard its children, especially its daughters, within their schools has failed in its most sacred duty.
The government’s foremost responsibility is to protect the lives and property of its citizens, yet the consequences of inaction continue to unfold as communities live in fear with no certainty, no protection, and no hope.
Today it is Kebbi; tomorrow it could be anywhere, closer to any of us. We cannot continue like this. We must rise, united and resolute, demanding immediate action, real accountability, and lasting security in all our communities.
Our children deserve to learn, to dream, and to grow without fear. The time for the government to act is NOW. Let us secure our communities.
FIDA Nigeria strongly condemns these heinous acts and calls on all relevant agencies to move swiftly and decisively to ensure justice and protection for our children. Let us restore safety in our schools and communities.
To the families currently grieving, our hearts are with you.
Act Now. Save Lives.
Signed
Eliana Martins
Country Vice President and National President
Chineze Obianyo
National Publicity Secretary and Editor-in-Chief
by FIDABuilding Safer Communities, Strengthening Voices Against GBV in Plateau State!
To deepen community accountability and promote a culture of zero tolerance for Gender-Based Violence (GBV), FIDA Nigeria convened a two-day Shared Learning Forum for Local Gatekeepers on GBV Prevention in Plateau State from 29th–30th October 2025.
The forum brought together traditional rulers, faith leaders, government representatives, and community advocates who exchanged insights, reflected on local realities, and mapped out strategies to reinforce GBV prevention across Plateau communities.
At the close of discussions, participants made firm commitments through community action plans focused on:
✅ Expanding advocacy and awareness campaigns on key protection laws such as the VAPP Law (2022), Child Rights Law (2005), Penal Code (2017), and GEOLAW (2015).
✅ Reviewing and formulating community bye-laws in Jos North, Riyom, and Bokkos LGAs to improve enforcement.
✅ Holding sensitization meetings for youth groups, women fellowships, and faith-based institutions.
✅ Conducting advocacy visits to key religious leaders — including the Chief Imam of Jos Central Mosque, CAN leadership, and theological schools — to amplify GBV prevention messages.
These resolutions reflect a strong and united front in the fight against GBV — a step closer to ensuring that every woman and girl in Plateau State lives free from violence, discrimination, and fear.
FIDANigeria #EndGBV
by FIDAStrengthening Community Action Against GBV: FIDA Nigeria Convenes 2nd Shared Learning Forum in Ekiti State
In its continuous effort to curb Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and advance gender justice, FIDA Nigeria convened the 2nd Shared Learning Forum in Ekiti State a strategic engagement under its Ford Foundation-supported GBV prevention programme.
The forum served as more than a meeting of minds; it was a powerful space for reflection, learning, and renewed commitment. Participants including state actors, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community influencers came together to assess progress, share insights, and deepen collective strategies for ending violence against women and girls.
Building on previous dialogues with cultural and traditional leaders, the session reinforced the importance of transforming entrenched social and cultural norms that fuel GBV. It also spotlighted the critical role of community gatekeepers as custodians of change, capable of inspiring a ripple effect of positive behavior and attitudes within their communities.
By sharing practical experiences and measurable progress, stakeholders renewed their pledge to uphold the principles of equality, dignity, and justice.
FIDA Nigeria remains confident that the outcomes of this shared learning engagement will inspire real change strengthening networks, catalyzing community-driven initiatives, and fostering environments where women and girls can live free from violence and fear.
by FIDAInternational Day of the Girl Child 2025
Theme: “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis.”
The story of the Nigerian girl is no longer one of silence. It is a story of capacity, inner strength, resilience, courage and leadership.
She is not the future; she is the now, leading change, driving innovation, and turning moments of crisis into opportunities for protection and growth.
Across Nigeria, girls are proving that leadership has no age and resilience has no limit. From Amara Nwuneli, winner of the 2025 Earth Prize for Environmental Innovation for transforming a landfill in Lagos into a safe playground using recycled tires, to Mary Victor Zira, who is rebuilding hope for displaced children through education in conflict-affected areas of Borno State, and Akachukwu Blessed Nwachukwu and Ifunanya Gabriella Okoye, who founded local tech hubs to teach girls coding and digital creativity, these young change makers are redefining what it means to lead and FIDA celebrates them all with unknown names working silently in their communities.
This year’s theme, “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead,” captures their essence: bold, visionary, and relentless even in the face of challenges and hardship. They rise from the ashes overcoming obstacles such as poverty, insecurity, and harmful traditions to champion causes that protect not just themselves but their communities.
Education remains their most powerful tool. It fuels innovation, breaks the chains of inequality, and gives girls a voice. Yet millions of Nigerian girls still face barriers such as early marriage, gender-based violence, and insecurity that threaten their dreams.
FIDA Nigeria believes that when a girl learns, she transforms her world. Her education is not a privilege; it is her Right!
We also recognize and commend the incredible work being done by organizations, agencies, groups, movements, and different initiatives across Nigeria that continue to empower girls by providing support and mentorship, safe spaces, enabling education, and carrying out advocacy opportunities that help them to survive, thrive and eventually lead.
At FIDA Nigeria, we identify with such groups and remain steadfast in defending the rights of girls through legal aid, advocacy, and community engagement. The rights of the Nigerian girl are protected under the Child Rights Act (2003), the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (2015), and global instruments such as CEDAW and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. However, just laws alone are not enough; they must be lived out in classrooms, communities, and every corner where girls still fight to be heard. We must adopt a multifaceted approach to support and empower the girl child to succeed.
We therefore call on all tiers of government, civil society, and communities to:
- Invest deliberately in girls’ education and leadership, ensuring no girl is left behind.
- Protect girls from all forms of violence and exploitation through stronger enforcement of protection laws.
- Create spaces for girls’ participation in decision making, from schools to national platforms.
We the Nigerian Girl continuing to rise like a hibiscus after the storm, innovating, rebuilding, and inspiring. She is not a footnote in Nigeria’s story; she is the Story.
We celebrate the Nigerian Girl Child!
When one girl leads, generations follow!!
For : FIDA Nigeria
Signed:
Eliana Martins
Country Vice President / National President
FIDA Nigeria
Chineze Obianyo
National Publicity Secretary
FIDA Nigeria
by FIDAA Trailblazer in Silk FIDA Nigeria Applauds Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN
FIDA Nigeria proudly celebrates Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, one of our own on her elevation to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN); a crowning achievement born of brilliance, resilience and unshakable dedication to the legal profession.
This milestone is far more than a personal triumph; it is a beacon of inspiration to women in law and beyond. It reaffirms that with courage, excellence and determination, women can shatter barriers and rise to the very pinnacle of the Bar, making history along the way.
As she steps into this new chapter, adorned in silk, we are confident that Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya will continue to embody the values of FIDA justice, service and dignity for women and children while blazing a trail for the next generation of female advocates.
FIDA Nigeria celebrates her as a trailblazer, a torchbearer and a shining example for all.
