The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has called for greater inclusion of women in governance, diplomacy, economic development and public leadership, describing their participation as critical to Nigeria’s development.
Bamidele said no nation could realise its full potential when a significant proportion of its population was unable to contribute fully to national development.
The Senate Leader spoke yesterday at the presentation of the book, *The Female Diplomat: Navigating Power, Ambition and Identity*, held at Nigeria House in New York, United States.
He described gender inclusion as “never an act of favour” but a strategic investment in Nigeria’s human capital and institutional strength.
According to him, Nigeria’s development must draw on the abilities and contributions of all its citizens, stressing that women must have genuine opportunities to participate in decision-making and public policy.
“Gender inclusion is not an act of favour. It is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s human capital and institutional strength. No nation can realise its full potential if a significant proportion of its population is unable to contribute fully to governance, diplomacy, economic development and public leadership,” he said.
Bamidele, who chaired the book presentation, said Nigeria’s democracy would be strengthened when citizens were adequately represented in institutions established to serve them.
He added that the country’s foreign relations would equally benefit when Nigeria was represented by competent professionals whose knowledge, judgment and experience reflected the breadth of the nation’s talent.
The Senate Leader said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda recognised the need to harness the abilities of all Nigerians, adding that the President had consistently emphasised the importance of women and young people in the political, economic and national life of the country.
He, however, stressed that meaningful inclusion went beyond simply having women represented in institutions.
“It requires genuine opportunities to participate in decision-making, exercise responsibility and contribute to the formulation and implementation of public policy,” he said.
Bamidele said the National Assembly had an important role to play in deepening gender inclusion through legislation, representation and oversight.
He said Parliament would continue to support institutions that were fair, accessible and responsive, while helping to create an environment where competence was recognised and opportunities were broadened for qualified women.
The Senate Leader noted that achieving greater inclusion was not solely the responsibility of government, saying political institutions, the diplomatic service, private sector, academic institutions and civil society all had roles to play.
“Progress will require deliberate policies, supportive institutions and a collective willingness to recognise talent wherever it is found,” he said.
The event attracted prominent Nigerian and international figures, including United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Amina Mohammed; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim; Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Kayode Are; and the President/CEO of Montefiore Einstein.
The book presentation formed part of Bamidele’s engagements in the United States, where he also participated in the Nigeria Investment Forum 2026.
The forum brought together government representatives, international investors, development finance institutions, multinational corporations, business leaders and strategic partners to explore investment opportunities across Nigeria.
Bamidele said the book presentation provided an opportunity for leaders, diplomats, scholars and members of the public to engage with issues relevant to Nigeria’s development and its engagement with the international community.
He maintained that broadening opportunities for qualified women in leadership would strengthen the country’s institutions and enable Nigeria to make fuller use of its human capital.