The Nigerian Senate has removed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, from Nigeria’s delegation to the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women taking place in New York, United States.
The global meeting, which began on March 9 and will run until March 19 at the United Nations headquarters, focuses on improving access to justice for women and girls and advancing gender equality across member states. Nigeria, like other countries, is expected to send a delegation to participate in discussions and negotiations during the session.
Despite the event focusing on women’s issues, Akpoti-Uduaghan was removed from the final delegation list and replaced by Ondo Central senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire.
The Kogi senator had earlier complained during a Senate Committee on Appropriations meeting on February 25 that she had been sidelined after initially being invited by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to join the delegation. According to her, the ministry requested the photo page of her international passport, which she submitted within hours, but she was later informed that she would no longer attend because the details were submitted late.
The Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Senator Ireti Kingibe, had earlier said she recommended Akpoti-Uduaghan for the trip after two other female senators declined the invitation and assured her she would be included in the delegation.
However, in a letter dated March 5, Kingibe later explained that the Senate eventually approved only two members for the event — herself and Senator Adegbonmire — after issues surrounding sponsorship and registration were resolved.
The decision has raised concerns among observers because the conference focuses specifically on women’s rights and gender equality, yet a female senator originally expected to attend was replaced by a male lawmaker.
Nigeria continues to face criticism for the low representation of women in politics, with women holding fewer than five percent of seats in the National Assembly.
