Decision to substitute the Kogi Central senator with Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire for the UN Commission on the Status of Women sparks criticism over transparency and female representation.

The Nigerian Senate has removed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the country’s delegation to the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York, replacing her with Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire.

The decision has triggered controversy, with critics questioning why a male senator was chosen over a female lawmaker for a global conference dedicated to women’s rights and gender equality.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District, had reportedly been invited by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to participate in the high-level international gathering. She had also submitted the necessary documentation to facilitate her attendance.

However, the senator was later informed that her documents were submitted after the deadline and that she would no longer be part of Nigeria’s delegation to the event.

Earlier, the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Senator Ireti Kingibe, had reportedly assured Akpoti-Uduaghan that she would attend the conference. The situation later changed, with Kingibe stating that only she and Senator Adegbonmire had been officially nominated and registered for the event.

The development has raised concerns about transparency in the nomination process, as well as Nigeria’s commitment to promoting female representation in international policy discussions.

Observers note that the controversy comes at a time when Nigeria continues to face criticism over the low participation of women in politics. The country has one of the lowest levels of female representation in parliament in Africa, with women occupying fewer than five per cent of seats in the National Assembly.

The UN Commission on the Status of Women is one of the world’s largest annual gatherings focused on gender equality and the empowerment of women.