The Federal Government (FG) has applauded Nigeria’s re-election to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), urging that the gains translate into concrete improvements in the lives of women and girls across the nation.

The position followed the re-election of Mrs Esther Eghobamien-Mshelia to the CEDAW Committee for a second four-year term at elections held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on June 26, 2026.

A signed statement by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development described the development as “a proud moment for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, reaffirming our country’s growing influence, credibility, and leadership in advancing gender equality and the rights of women and girls globally.”

The statement however, insisted that the international endorsement must ultimately improve access to protection, education, healthcare and economic opportunities for women and girls across the country.

“The Federal Government reaffirms that international recognition must translate into measurable domestic impact. Advancing women’s rights requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach involving all tiers of government, the legislature, judiciary, civil society, traditional and religious institutions, the private sector and communities”.

It pledged to deepen the implementation of CEDAW through “legal reforms, policy coherence, expanded women’s economic empowerment, stronger protection systems, and improved institutional accountability.”

According to the ministry, Nigeria’s efforts to domesticate international commitments through the designation of CEDAW Cities represent a major step towards achieving practical results for women and girls at the grassroots.

It recalled that during the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in March 2025, Edo, FCT, Kwara, Imo, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun and Zamfara signed commitments as CEDAW Cities.

“The significance of this signing is that it brings CEDAW closer to the people, as State Governments are now formally committing to turn international obligations into real actions; better protection for women and girls, improved access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, and stronger accountability at the community level,” the statement noted.

The ministry added that the initiative “marks a shift from global commitments to practical results at home, reinforcing Nigeria’s credibility and leadership in advancing gender equality.”

It maintained that Eghobamien-Mshelia’s re-election extends beyond personal accomplishment and reinforces Nigeria’s role in advancing global gender rights.

“The re-election of Mrs. Esther Eghobamien-Mshelia, therefore, represents far more than an individual or electoral success; it is a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s leadership in shaping the global gender equality agenda,” the statement said.

The ministry further noted that the achievement resulted from coordinated efforts involving ministries, state governments, development partners, civil society organisations, technical experts and communities.

“This collective effort strengthens our voice in international norm-setting, enhances our influence in advancing the interpretation and implementation of women’s rights under CEDAW, and reinforces our commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian woman and girl enjoys equality, dignity, protection, and justice,” it added.

The ministry credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with placing women, children and vulnerable groups at the centre of national development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“The Federal Government, under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has no doubt placed women, children, families, and vulnerable populations at the heart of national development under the Renewed Hope Agenda,” it stated.

It added that the declaration of 2026 as the Year of Families and Social Development has strengthened Nigeria’s credibility on social inclusion and family welfare.

The ministry also commended the leadership of the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, noting that the country’s diplomatic success was built on “months of rigorous consultations, strategic engagements, diplomatic outreach, bilateral and multilateral dialogues, and sustained lobbying undertaken at both national and international levels.”

It equally praised First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative for empowering women and supporting families across the country.

The ministry said its objective remains to ensure that gender equality moves beyond international acclaim to become a lived reality for Nigerian women and girls.

“Our objective remains clear: to ensure that equality is not only articulated in policy or celebrated globally, but fully embedded in governance and tangibly experienced in the daily lives of every Nigerian woman and girl,” it stated.

“This victory belongs to every Nigerian woman and girl. It is a powerful reminder that when leadership, diplomacy, technical excellence, and national unity converge, Nigeria can shape global outcomes with confidence and credibility,” the statement noted.