The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), in collaboration with UN Women and the Research Centre for Advocacy & Policy Advisory in Africa (ReCAP Africa), has launched a capacity-building programme aimed at empowering 150 indigenous women from the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
The empowerment programme is packed with skills in mediation, conflict management, and peacebuilding ahead of the 2026 Area Council Elections.
The one-day workshop, held in Abuja under the theme “Empowering FCT Indigenous Women as Agents of Peace,” brought together lawmakers, development partners, traditional rulers, and women leaders to promote grassroots peacebuilding and strengthen inclusive participation in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Speaking, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, commended the initiative as timely and transformative.
“Training 150 indigenous women in peacebuilding is an investment in Nigeria’s democratic future,” she affirmed.
Represented by Princess Jummai Idonije, the Minister stated that,
“When women are empowered to mediate, conflicts dissolve before they ignite. This programme plants seeds of peace that will blossom during and beyond the 2026 elections.”
She urged participants to apply their new skills as mediators during the upcoming elections for inclusivity and national development.
“You are the frontline of peace, the calming voices our communities need,” she charged.
Similarly, the Executive Director of ReCAP Africa, Mr. Sylvester Nandi-Esom revealed plans to scale the initiative nationwide, aiming to train 8,809 women mediators across Nigeria’s electoral wards by 2027 and expanding to the ECOWAS region by 2030.
Stakeholders, including UN Women, praised the programme’s ambition, describing it as a model for inclusive peacebuilding.
Delivering a welcome address, NILDS Director-General, Professor Abubakar O. Sulaimon, underscored the urgency of women’s inclusion in governance and peace processes.
“This workshop is not just a training session; it is a strategic intervention that equips women to actively sustain peace,” he said.
Represented by Professor Shuaibu Danwaka, he further noted that “Women are not only victims of conflict; they are agents of resolution. Empowering them with skills to mediate strengthens the very foundation of our democracy.”
He applauded the organising partners for their support, noting that the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAP-WPS) and the Sustainable Development Goals, which place a high premium on women.
“Every woman we empower becomes a guardian of democracy in her community,” he said.
The participants, drawn from all six FCT Area Councils, are expected to return as community-based mediators, promoting dialogue, reducing tensions, and ensuring peaceful participation in the 2026 elections.
As Nigerian women continue advocating for the Reserved Seats Bill, participants affirm that equipping indigenous women with mediation and peacebuilding skills not only prepares the FCT for peaceful elections but also advances the national vision of inclusive governance, community resilience, and sustainable peace.
The initiative was also hailed as complementing the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which places women at the centre of Nigeria’s democratic and developmental journey.