The Gombe State Commissioner of Education, Dr Aishatu Umar Maigari, has commended the pivotal role of women in Nigeria’s growth and progress over the past 65 years, noting that women’s contributions span every level of society.
Speaking with Voice of Nigeria in Gombe on Nigeria’s 65th Independence celebrations, Dr Maigari emphasised that women not only give birth to future leaders but also drive the nation’s economy and sustain family values.
“Every woman in Nigeria has helped to build this country. From ministers and commissioners to the woman selling akara by the roadside, their efforts keep families together and strengthen the economy. With women driving small and medium-scale enterprises, which form the backbone of our economy, their impact cannot be overstated,” she said.
On Balancing Family and Career, drawing from her background as a chemist, Dr Maigari likened women’s ability to juggle professional and family responsibilities to balancing chemical equations.
“In Chemistry, we talk about finding equilibrium. Sometimes it tilts to the family, sometimes to the career, but the balance must be maintained. Women in leadership have been doing this from day one, ensuring neither side suffers,” she explained.
Reserved Seats
On the proposal to reserve a senatorial seat for women in every state, the Commissioner welcomed the idea, saying women had “come of age” in politics.
However, she called for a change in women’s voting attitudes:
“What baffles me is that women far outnumber men at the polls, yet many still vote for male candidates. We need a paradigm shift. Women must support fellow women and put an end to rivalry. We must also prove ourselves worthy of the seats we are given,” Dr Maigari said.
She emphasised that while states should indeed create spaces in the legislature for women, it is equally important for women themselves to be prepared to occupy such positions with merit. According to her, women must demonstrate competence and commitment, ensuring that when entrusted with legislative seats, they not only deserve them but also make those seats truly impactful and worthy of the responsibility they carry.
Call to Girl Child
Dr Maigari further encouraged young girls to aspire to greatness through education, pointing out that more girls than boys are now being enrolled in many schools and universities.
She highlighted Gombe State’s deliberate policy of promoting women in leadership roles under Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.
According to her, it is worth noting that girls often outnumber boys in many schools today, except in all-boys schools, saying it is common to find a higher number of girls than boys, or at least an equal balance.
“For instance, in the most recent WAEC examinations, around 11,000 boys and 10,000 girls sat for the papers. At the university level, the trend continues, with more young women, including married women, pursuing higher education than men, demonstrating a remarkable level of determination. What remains is to provide them with an enabling environment, and this is precisely what the government is working towards under the deliberate policies of His Excellency, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya,” Dr Maigari said
She said that in the education sector alone in Gombe State, women were holding several key leadership positions, such as the Commissioner for Education, the Chairperson of the Teachers’ Service Commission, and, for the first time, two full-term members of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
“These are not just promises on paper, but actions that speak for themselves. Beyond education, Governor Yahaya has ensured that women continue to play significant roles across the state. Since 2019, a reserved slot has been created for women councillors in each of the 11 local government areas. Two of the current local government chairpersons are women. In addition, the Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission, the Chief Judge of Gombe State, the Clerk of the Gombe State House of Assembly, and many others in leadership are women,” Dr Maigari said.
“It was crucial for a change in mindset, such that women would consider education not merely about personal recognition, but about strengthening families, uplifting communities, and contributing to national development.
This is why it is often said that every woman in Nigeria is an integral part of the nation’s progress. As long as you are a woman, you have a role to play in advancing the development of the country,” Dr Maigari said.