Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in Nigeria’s Senate, has publicly alleged that she was excluded from the country’s official delegation to the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) currently underway in New York. The session, which began on March 9, 2026, brings together government officials, legislators, activists, and policymakers from around the world to discuss strategies for advancing gender equality, women’s rights, and access to justice for women and girls.
Akpoti‑Uduaghan’s concern arose after she complained during a Senate Committee on Appropriations meeting on February 25, 2026, that she had been sidelined and removed from the list of delegates chosen to represent Nigeria at the UN event. She explained that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs had initially contacted her and requested the photo page of her international passport to process her accreditation. She said she promptly submitted the requested document only to be later informed that she would no longer be part of the delegation, with officials citing that her response was allegedly late — a claim she vehemently rejected.
At the heart of the dispute is a letter dated March 5, 2026, sent to Akpoti‑Uduaghan by Senator Ireti Kingibe, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs. In the communication, Kingibe informed her that although she was originally considered for the trip, only two senators had been officially nominated and registered by Senate leadership to attend the CSW70 session. According to the letter, Kingibe and Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, were the only members confirmed to participate. Kingibe also noted that the Ministry of Women Affairs had not completed arrangements for the broader list of sponsored delegates or finalised travel and accommodation logistics.
The exclusion has drawn criticism not only from Akpoti‑Uduaghan herself but also from gender equality advocates who question the optics of replacing a female senator with a male colleague at an event dedicated to women’s issues. Nigeria’s relatively low number of female lawmakers — only a handful of women serve in the Senate — has amplified concerns that opportunities for women’s representation should be maximised, especially on international platforms that focus on advancing gender equity.
Politically, the controversy sheds light on tensions within the legislature. Akpoti‑Uduaghan has been in a longstanding dispute with some Senate leaders, a rift that has previously drawn national attention. In 2025, she accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of sexual harassment, a claim he denied, and the Senate subsequently suspended her for six months for gross misconduct. While courts later ruled aspects of her suspension unlawful, the dispute nonetheless contributed to strained relations with Senate leadership. Some sources close to the events surrounding the delegation decision suggested that there were internal concerns that her presence at the UN session could lead her to raise controversial issues that might reflect negatively on Nigeria, though this has not been publicly confirmed by official spokespeople.
The removal also unfolded amid conflicting comments from Senate leadership. Initially, Kingibe had publicly expressed solidarity with Akpoti‑Uduaghan, even suggesting she would boycott the conference if the Kogi Central lawmaker was excluded. That stance was interpreted by some within the National Assembly as a firm show of support. However, the final delegation list presented a different scenario when Akpoti‑Uduaghan’s name did not appear among the official Senate representatives.
The controversy has triggered broader discussion about transparency, internal coordination, and fairness in selecting delegates for international engagements, with critics arguing that the process lacked clear communication and objective criteria. Some observers highlighted that documents and online messages linked to preparations for the trip, including exchanges requesting Akpoti‑Uduaghan’s passport data, suggest she was initially considered for participation before being removed from the final list, adding to political speculation about the reasons for the reversal.
In Kingibe’s letter, Akpoti‑Uduaghan was encouraged to consider attending the conference independently if she already possessed a valid United States visa, as access to the United Nations headquarters complex would be contingent on formal accreditation handled by the Ministry of Women Affairs. This offer, while technically keeping the door open for her attendance, falls short of the official delegation status and sponsorship that accompany government-backed representation.
The issue has resonated beyond the corridors of power, stirring reactions from civil society and gender advocacy groups who see it as emblematic of broader challenges female politicians face in Nigeria. Activists argue that Nigeria’s representation in global dialogues on gender empowerment should reflect its commitment to gender inclusion and should consider the symbolic importance of including as many women leaders as possible on official delegations. The exclusion of a female senator at a women’s rights forum, they contend, sends a contradictory message at a time when international institutions emphasise inclusivity and women’s leadership.
As the CSW70 continues in New York, debates over Akpoti‑Uduaghan’s exclusion remain a live political matter in Nigeria, with calls for greater clarity and fairness in how delegates are selected and how internal disagreements are managed. The unfolding developments underscore ongoing struggles within Nigeria’s political system over representation, gender equity, and institutional cohesion — issues that resonate both domestically and on the global stage.
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