The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hulayat Omidiran, has called on women to unite and confront barriers that hinder their progress in society.
Omidiran made the call in New York while delivering a keynote address at the Global Women Partnership Without Borders forum, held on the sidelines of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70).
She emphasised that gender imbalance remains harmful to society and stressed the importance of inclusive leadership and equitable representation.
“Unity cannot flourish where exclusion persists. A nation divided by imbalance cannot fully harness its strength,” she said.
Omidiran explained that gender balancing involves fair representation of men and women in leadership and economic participation, adding that inclusive governance ensures that leadership reflects the diversity of the population.
“When leadership mirrors its population, trust deepens and participation increases,” she added.
She reaffirmed the FCC’s commitment to promoting fairness and merit-based opportunities in Nigeria, stating that the commission would continue to work toward a society where diversity strengthens national unity.
Also speaking at the forum, former Minister of Women Affairs Pauline Tallen said no country in the world had yet achieved full legal equality for women.
“Globally, women hold just 64 percent of men’s legal rights. In Nigeria, women make up about 70 percent of farm labour but own less than 15 percent of the land,” she said.
Tallen also noted that women’s representation in Nigeria’s National Assembly remains below four percent, describing the situation as concerning and in need of urgent change.
She highlighted some achievements during her tenure as Minister of Women Affairs, including the declaration of a national emergency on gender-based violence, the implementation of the Violence Against Persons Act, and the construction of the ministry’s headquarters after two decades.
Tallen emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among women across countries through legal reforms, mentorship programmes, and technology-driven initiatives to ensure that women’s contributions are recognised globally.
“Partnerships among women should go beyond symbolic alliances and remain strong even when the work becomes difficult,” she said.
Earlier, the Global Coordinator of Women of Worth Global, Betty Olutunde, urged women to celebrate and support one another across borders, sectors, and generations.
She said the organisation was founded in Nigeria to recognise and amplify the achievements of women whose contributions often go unnoticed.
According to her, the group provides platforms where women’s voices are heard, their accomplishments recognised, and leadership capacity strengthened.
During the event, President Bola Tinubu was honoured with the “Champion of Women’s Empowerment” award by the Women of Worth Global Group for his role in promoting women’s participation in leadership. The award was received on his behalf by Nigeria’s Consul General in New York, Ambassador Abubakar Jidda.
Other honourees included the wife of the Osun State Governor, Mrs. Ngozi Adeleke, who received the “Inclusive Community Development Award,” while Ambassador Jidda was presented with the “Diplomatic Leadership in Advancing Women in Power” award.