Nigeria has secured a major diplomatic victory following the re-election of Mrs. Esther Eghobamien-Mshelia to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) for a second four-year term. The election, held on June 26 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, saw Nigeria emerge victorious in a keenly contested race involving candidates from eight countries, with the support of 123 UN Member States.
Landmark Achievement for Nigeria
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, described the outcome as a landmark achievement that reinforces Nigeria’s leadership in promoting gender equality and protecting the rights of women and girls on the global stage. According to Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the victory reflects the confidence of the international community in Nigeria’s commitment to advancing women’s rights and strengthens the country’s influence in shaping global gender equality policies.
She noted that the achievement builds on progress recorded during the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), where Nigeria led a high-level engagement that secured commitments from Edo, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Kwara, Imo, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun and Zamfara States to accelerate the domestication and implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
Practical Actions at State Level
The Minister said the commitments would help translate international obligations into practical actions by expanding access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities and stronger legal protections for women and girls at the State level. She emphasized that Nigeria’s continued representation on the CEDAW Committee would ensure that the country remains actively involved in developing global standards on gender equality while amplifying Africa’s voice in international human rights discussions.
Coordinated Approach Behind Victory
The Minister attributed the success to a coordinated whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach involving ministries, departments and agencies, state governments, the National Assembly, development partners, civil society organisations, traditional and religious institutions, and technical experts. She explained that the re-election followed months of strategic consultations, diplomatic engagements, bilateral and multilateral negotiations, and sustained lobbying led by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim also credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for prioritising women, children, families and vulnerable groups, noting that the declaration of 2026 as the Year of Families and Social Development has strengthened Nigeria’s global credibility in advancing inclusive development.
Recognition of Key Contributions
The Minister further acknowledged the contributions of First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, whose Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) has empowered women across Nigeria through skills acquisition, livelihood support and access to productive resources. She also commended the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Senator (Dr.) Jimoh Ibrahim, and officials of the Permanent Mission for their diplomatic efforts in securing the victory.
Congratulating Mrs. Esther Eghobamien-Mshelia on her re-election, the Minister expressed confidence that she would continue to serve with distinction, integrity and professionalism while representing Nigeria and advancing the objectives of CEDAW. She reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that international recognition translates into tangible benefits for Nigerian women and girls through legal reforms, stronger protection systems, women’s economic empowerment, institutional accountability and sustained advocacy.
A Victory for All Nigerians
Describing the victory as one for all Nigerians, Sulaiman-Ibrahim said it demonstrates what can be achieved through visionary leadership, strategic diplomacy and national unity, while reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable society where every woman and girl can realise her full potential.
