Nigeria Re‑elected to UN CEDAW Committee, Signaling Global Confidence in Tinubu Administration’s Gender Agenda, Minister Says

Jonathan Eze

Hon. Imaan Sulaiman‑Ibrahim, Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, said the country’s re‑election to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) demonstrates international confidence in Nigeria’s growing leadership on gender equality and the protection of women’s and girls’ rights.

Speaking after the June 26 election at the United Nations Headquarters, where Mrs. Esther Eghobamien‑Mshelia was elected to a second four‑year term by a vote of 123 Member States, the Minister highlighted that the result reflects the global community’s trust in Nigeria’s commitment to advancing women’s rights.

According to the Minister, the re‑election is a significant diplomatic achievement that strengthens Nigeria’s influence in shaping global gender‑equality discussions and ensures that Africa’s voice remains strongly represented on the CEDAW Committee.

She noted that the victory builds on momentum from the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), where Nigeria led a landmark initiative that prompted several states to accelerate the domestication and implementation of CEDAW.

The Minister said the initiative illustrates the Federal Government’s determination to translate international commitments into tangible improvements for Nigerian women and girls, through stronger legal protections, expanded economic opportunities, better access to education and healthcare, and greater institutional accountability.

Sulaiman‑Ibrahim credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visionary leadership for the success, citing the Renewed Hope Agenda’s prioritisation of women, families and vulnerable groups as key pillars of national development.

She added that declaring 2026 the Year of Families and Social Development reflects the administration’s commitment to inclusive growth, social protection and gender‑responsive governance.

The Minister also acknowledged the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, whose Renewed Hope Initiative continues to empower women nationwide through entrepreneurship support, skills development and economic inclusion programmes.

She praised the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu‑Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, the Permanent Mission to the UN, development partners, state governments, civil society organisations and the inter‑ministerial technical team for their strategic efforts, diplomatic engagements and unwavering commitment that led to Nigeria’s success.

Congratulating Eghobamien‑Mshelia on her re‑election, the Minister expressed confidence that she will continue to serve with distinction and further project Nigeria’s leadership in advancing global standards on women’s rights.

“The Federal Government remains committed to ensuring that this international recognition translates into measurable improvements in the lives of Nigerian women and girls,” the Minister said. “We will continue to work with all stakeholders to deepen the implementation of CEDAW through policy reforms, stronger institutions, women’s economic empowerment and sustained advocacy for gender equality.”

She added that Nigeria’s victory belongs to every Nigerian and reflects what can be achieved through visionary leadership, effective diplomacy, technical excellence and national unity, reaffirming the country’s commitment to building a more inclusive, equitable and prosperous society where every woman and girl can realise her full potential.