Controversy has erupted within Nigeria’s Senate over the composition of the country’s delegation to the 2026 session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the United Nations in New York, with allegations that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was excluded despite earlier indications she would attend.
The global women’s conference, which commenced on March 9, 2026, brings together government officials, activists, and policymakers worldwide to discuss gender equality and women’s empowerment.
At the center of the dispute is Senator Ireti Heebah Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory and Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs. Kingibe had previously warned during a Senate budget session that she would boycott the CSW event if Akpoti-Uduaghan was not included.
“If Senator Natasha Akpoti is not going to attend the programme, it means I am not going to attend too,” Kingibe reportedly stated, signaling solidarity with the Kogi Central lawmaker.
However, a letter dated March 5, 2026, from Kingibe to Akpoti-Uduaghan clarified that only two senators had officially been nominated and registered for the conference: Kingibe herself and Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire. She further noted that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs had yet to finalise travel and accommodation arrangements for other delegates.
Documents circulating suggest Akpoti-Uduaghan was initially considered for the delegation. A WhatsApp message allegedly sent by an aide linked to Kingibe requested Akpoti-Uduaghan’s international passport data page for registration, and a copy of the passport page was reportedly sent in response.
The incident has intensified scrutiny over Nigeria’s selection process for delegates, especially as the conference focuses on women’s issues. Critics question why one of the two Senate-sponsored slots went to a male lawmaker while a female senator was reportedly left out, given Nigeria’s limited female representation in the National Assembly.
Kingibe, in her letter, advised Akpoti-Uduaghan that she could still attend independently if she had a valid US visa, though access to the United Nations building would depend on formal accreditation through the Ministry of Women Affairs.
The controversy has now placed the spotlight on both Senate leadership and the Ministry of Women Affairs, raising questions about transparency, fairness, and gender representation in Nigeria’s participation at international policy forums.
