Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has described Nigeria’s re-election to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) as a “significant diplomatic milestone” for the country.
The Minister said Nigeria secured the seat following a keenly contested election held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 26 June 2026.
According to her, Nigeria emerged victorious over candidates from eight countries in an election involving 123 Member States, reaffirming international confidence in the nation’s leadership on gender equality.
She stated that the re-election of Nigeria’s nominee, Mrs Esther Eghobamien-Mshelia, “represents far more than an individual or electoral success; it is a reaffirmation of Nigeria’s leadership in shaping the global gender equality agenda.”
The Minister said Nigeria’s continued presence on the committee ensures the country remains an active contributor to global standards on women’s rights while “amplifying Africa’s voice in international human rights discourse”.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim said the outcome reflects a “whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach”, involving federal and state institutions, the National Assembly, development partners, civil society organisations, and traditional and religious leaders.
She noted that the victory followed “months of rigorous consultations, strategic engagements, diplomatic outreach, bilateral and multilateral dialogues, and sustained lobbying undertaken at both national and international levels”.
The Minister further linked the achievement to commitments made during the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), where several Nigerian states pledged to accelerate the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
Reaffirming government commitment, she said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has placed “women, children, families, and vulnerable populations at the heart of National Development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Sulaiman-Ibrahim commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, and other stakeholders for their roles in securing the outcome.
She congratulated Mrs Eghobamien-Mshelia, saying she “carries not only the confidence of the international community but also the hopes and aspirations of millions of Nigerian women and girls.”
The Minister reaffirmed that “international recognition must translate into measurable domestic impact” through legal reforms, empowerment initiatives, stronger protection systems, and institutional accountability for women and girls.
