The Women in Leadership (WIL) Coalition has urged the Federal Government to adopt family-friendly workplace policies and increase women’s representation in leadership positions, arguing that such reforms are essential to boosting Nigeria’s economic growth, improving productivity, and enhancing national competitiveness.
The coalition made the call during a strategic advocacy visit to the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Madam Hadiza Bala Usman, where it pressed for policy measures aimed at eliminating barriers that continue to limit women’s full participation in the workforce.
According to the coalition, Nigerian women shoulder a disproportionate burden of unpaid care work, contributing an estimated $111 billion annually through unpaid caregiving responsibilities. It noted that the country’s existing labour laws provide only 12 weeks of maternity leave at 50 per cent pay and make no provision for paid paternity leave in the private sector, a situation it said places women at a disadvantage and weakens their participation in the labour market.
The coalition maintained that many women are compelled to return to work before they have fully recovered from childbirth or leave their careers altogether, resulting in the loss of experienced professionals, weakened leadership pipelines, and reduced economic productivity.
It argued that extending maternity leave, introducing paid paternity leave, and creating more family-friendly workplaces would enable women to remain and thrive in their careers while encouraging shared caregiving responsibilities within families.
Beyond parental leave reforms, the coalition advocated stronger measures to increase women’s representation in both corporate and public leadership, describing gender inclusion as an economic necessity rather than merely a social or equity issue.
Speaking during the meeting, Chairperson and Founder of Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), Amina Oyagbola, said gender-inclusive policies were critical to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
“Gender inclusivity is not just a social issue. It is an economic imperative for Nigeria’s socio-economic development,” she said.
Hauwa Haliru pointed to Kwara State as evidence that meaningful progress is achievable through deliberate political will, noting that the state has already surpassed the 35 per cent benchmark for women’s representation in political leadership.
Also speaking, Anthonia Emetarom of the Women in Leadership Advancement Network (WILAN) stressed that supporting families through progressive workplace policies would have far-reaching economic benefits.
“When families are supported, women can contribute fully to the economy, businesses thrive, and the economy grows,” she said.
The coalition also cited the recent Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presidential election as an example of the impact of women’s solidarity, noting that women mobilised in support of a female candidate who eventually emerged victorious.
“If women actively support one another, they can move the needle themselves,” Oyagbola added.
As part of its advocacy, the coalition presented three major policy recommendations to the Presidency.
It called for the adoption of a national standard of 16 weeks of fully paid maternity leave and 14 days of paid paternity leave for employees across the country.
The coalition also urged the government to promote a minimum of 35 per cent representation of women on the boards and executive management teams of listed companies, as well as at least 35 per cent female representation in both federal and state executive cabinets.
According to the coalition, these targets are practical and achievable, citing successful examples already in operation within Nigeria.
It pointed to the Federal Capital Territory’s parental leave policy and initiatives adopted by several private-sector organisations as evidence that stronger family-friendly workplace policies improve employee retention, strengthen leadership pipelines, and enhance organisational performance.
Executive Director of Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, urged the Federal Government to encourage wider adoption of such policies through executive incentives.
“To accelerate the implementation of these policies, the government can deploy executive incentives to encourage private-sector adoption of enhanced family-friendly workplace practices, including 16 weeks of maternity leave and 14 days of paternity leave,” she said.
Responding to the coalition’s proposals, Madam Hadiza Bala Usman reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to advancing gender equality and expanding opportunities for women in leadership.
She noted that the Federal Public Service already provides five months and two weeks of fully paid maternity leave, as well as two weeks of paid paternity leave, but acknowledged that similar provisions have yet to be widely adopted by private-sector employers.
Usman encouraged continued engagement with employers and policymakers to promote broader acceptance of family-friendly workplace practices across the country.
On women’s representation in leadership, she pledged to engage relevant federal agencies to determine the applicability of the Public Service Rules across government institutions.
She also promised to compile a comprehensive list of federal ministries, departments, agencies, and parastatals to support evidence-based recommendations to the President aimed at increasing the number of women appointed to leadership positions.
The coalition concluded that expanding parental leave, strengthening workplace support for families, and increasing women’s participation in leadership are not simply gender-focused reforms but strategic economic policies that will shape Nigeria’s long-term competitiveness and sustainable development.
The Women in Leadership Coalition is a strategic alliance comprising the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Women in Leadership Advancement Network (WILAN), Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), and Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR). The coalition advocates policies that promote gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, and greater representation of women in leadership across both the public and private sectors.
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