Women are still less than 10% of Senate candidates

The race for Nigeria’s Senate seats is heating up, but are women getting a fair shot? This year, a staggering 1,195 candidates are vying for 109 Senate positions.

A closer look reveals a stark reality: only 115 of these candidates are women, making up a mere 9.6% of the total. While this marks a positive increase from just 92 female candidates in 2023, showing a 25% jump, it’s still a long way from parity.

Despite the progress, women remain significantly underrepresented, accounting for fewer than 10 out of every 100 Senate hopefuls. The numbers also paint a varied picture across the nation. For instance, Akwa ibom state boasts 10 female candidates, while several states like Jigawa, Nasarawa, Niger, and Yobe have none.