The TOS Foundation Africa, in collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland in Nigeria, has launched a six-week legislative mentorship programme called 'HerCademy' to strengthen women's political leadership. The initiative was unveiled in Abuja, targeting aspiring female leaders from across the country. Osasu Igbinedion-Ogwuche, founder of TOS Foundation Africa, stated the programme aims to build real political power and competence, not just encourage participation. "This is not just about participation; it is about power, equipping women to understand how laws are made, how systems work and how to lead with competence and clarity," she said. The training includes legislative simulations, policy development and political strategy.
Siamak Rouhani, Chargé d'Affaires at the Swiss Embassy, highlighted that women hold less than five per cent of seats in Nigeria's National Assembly—the lowest in Africa. He described the programme as critical for inclusive governance and democratic strength. British Deputy High Commissioner Mrs Gill Lever noted that women often have to negotiate or claim power, as it is rarely given. Participants will gain practical skills to navigate political systems not designed for them. The programme seeks to close the gap between constitutional equality and political underrepresentation.
That women hold less than five per cent of National Assembly seats after decades of advocacy reveals how deeply entrenched the barriers remain. Osasu Igbinedion-Ogwuche's focus on building political power—not just access—cuts to the core of why past efforts have yielded little structural change. Training women to navigate a system stacked against them may produce more capable leaders, but it does not alter the system itself. Without shifts in party gatekeeping and voter incentives, even the best-prepared women will still face near-insurmountable odds.
