Women in Ondo could see intensified efforts to enter elective and leadership roles after Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa called for deliberate inclusion at a state event. Speaking at the launch of the Project 774 Explode initiative in Akure on July 30, 2026, the governor urged political stakeholders across the country to remove barriers that limit women’s political advancement.
Aiyedatiwa, represented at the event by Deputy Governor Dr Olayide Adelami, framed the push as part of his administration’s wider commitment to gender inclusivity. He said women play essential roles in community life and national development and that leadership should be judged on competence rather than gender. “Women are very critical to the uplifting and development of any society,” he said, describing them as architects of social stability and economic resilience.
The Project 774 Explode initiative, started by the All Progressives Congress National Women Leader, arrived in Ondo as an empowerment programme for women. Aiyedatiwa praised the project as more than an intervention, saying it signals an effort to unlock women’s potential across sectors including public administration, entrepreneurship, technology, education, agriculture and governance.
Dr Mary Idele, the APC National Women Leader, reiterated the need for broader female participation. “The future of our democracy depends on the inclusion of young people, especially young women,” she said, urging the creation of pathways for women to serve as councillors, local government chairpersons, legislators, commissioners, party executives and future governors and presidents. She also appealed to mothers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community figures and party stakeholders to back young women with mentorship and opportunities, calling for support “with the confidence, mentorship, and opportunities they need to succeed in public life.”
The comments arrive against a backdrop of persistent underrepresentation. Women make up nearly half of Nigeria’s population and participate actively in campaigns and party activity, yet their presence in elective and appointive offices remains limited. Civil society groups, women’s organisations and development partners continue to press for measures such as the proposed Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill and affirmative action policies, though progress has been slow.
What happens next depends on sustained political will and organised follow-through. Aiyedatiwa’s public endorsement gives Project 774 Explode higher visibility in Ondo, but real gains will require coordinated action by parties, community leaders and policymakers to translate advocacy into nominations, electability and appointments for women.
