Female lawyers in Sokoto, under the aegis of the Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA), have convened a state-level consultation with judicial officers to address career progression and leadership barriers within the judiciary.
The event, themed “Probing Women’s Career Progression and Leadership Pathways in the Judiciary”, was supported by Co-Impact and examined systemic obstacles hindering female legal professionals.
Delivering the welcome address on behalf of FIDA Nigeria’s National President, Eliana Martins, Mrs Amina Suzanah Agbaje – former Country Vice President Emerita – decried the gender imbalance in the legal field. She clarified that the association seeks equity, not equality, advocating only for fair representation in leadership roles.
Mrs Agbaje noted that women remain underrepresented in Nigeria’s judicial leadership, revealing that only four out of the Supreme Court’s justices are women.
Quoting Ms Martins, she said: “This dialogue, supported by our partner Co-Impact, provides the platform to probe women’s barriers and experiences—from entry and retention to progression, thriving, and leadership roles—while advancing gender equity within the judiciary.”
Sokoto FIDA Chairperson, Barrister Zainab Aliyu, acknowledged recent progress, particularly in the growing number of female lawyers, but insisted that more must be done to achieve meaningful female representation in judicial leadership.
Project Team Lead, Mr Ezikiel Godbless Nandom, outlined the consultation’s objectives, noting that the current situation demands heightened advocacy and reorientation.
Mr Agbaje, representing the Country Vice National President, guided participants through leadership progression dynamics—from entry points into the judiciary, workplace experiences, and career advancement, to decision-making roles and forward-looking solutions.
The one-day consultative session placed emphasis on short, medium, and long-term measures to guarantee seamless career progression for women lawyers. Among the recommendations were institutional reforms and strengthened support systems.