Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, Gender and Body Politics in Nigeria

Women are severely underrepresented in Nigerian politics, holding only 3 per cent of Senate seats and 4 per cent of House of Representatives seats. Ranking far behind many African countries, the national average for women’s representation in elective and appointive positions in Nigeria is well below the West African subregional average of 15 per cent and has declined to less than 5 per cent in recent years. The underrepresentation of women in Nigerian politics is not a new issue. The colonial foundations of modern-day Nigeria shaped the political landscape in such a way that women were systematically marginalized through the formal recognition of male warrant chiefs, the introduction of property rights institutions based on patriarchal marriage statutes, and policies that favoured boys for formal education and employment in specific industries. Even during the continent-wide decolonization period of the 1960s and beyond, the entrenched patriarchal political order, along with ongoing social inequalities, perpetuated an environment where independence seemed to ‘change the composition of office holders and not the character of the political system.’ In the contemporary period, although Nigerian women are just as active as men in other areas of political life, such as voting, organizing protests, supporting candidates at rallies and engaging in local civil society associations, women remain profoundly underrepresented in political offices.

But it is not only about the numbers; it is also about the experiences of the few women who hold these seats of power. The systemic underrepresentation and marginalization of women in Nigerian politics fosters a political culture that mirrors the broader societal culture of misogyny. The rushed proceedings—condemned by many—along with Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, highlight the repercussions faced by minority voices that dare to challenge the status quo. By publicly sharing her experiences in the Senate, this case reveals the various ways in which both men and women perpetuate a culture of misogyny.