NCWS Unveils Women’s Peace and Democracy Summit Ahead Of 2027 Elections
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
With Nigeria heading towards another crucial election cycle, the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS) has called for greater political inclusion of women, warning that democracy cannot be truly inclusive while women remain underrepresented in decision-making.
The call was made by the 16th National President of NCWS, Princess Edna D.D. Azura (Kwatam Mutaku), in her welcome address at the council’s National Executive Council meeting in Abuja on 3 September 2026.
Azura announced the 1st Nigeria Women Peace, Democracy Summit and Awards 2026, scheduled to be held at the African Hall of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, under the theme, “Women as Catalysts for Peace, Democracy and Inclusive Governance.”
She said the summit would bring together more than 3,000 delegates from across Nigeria’s political, ethnic, religious and generational divides to promote peaceful elections, conflict prevention and inclusive governance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to her, women remain central to Nigeria’s agriculture, healthcare, communities, and grassroots development, but continue to face barriers to elective office, political appointments, campaign financing, and strategic decision-making.
She urged the Federal Government, National Assembly, state governments, political parties and the private sector to create deliberate pathways for women’s participation in leadership.
The summit, she said, would feature policy discussions on democracy and women’s leadership, peacebuilding and conflict prevention, interfaith and intergenerational dialogue, as well as engagements with government institutions, traditional rulers, security agencies, diplomatic missions and development partners.
A major component will be the Nigeria Women Peace and Democracy Awards 2026, which will recognise individuals, institutions and development partners whose contributions have advanced peace, democracy, women’s empowerment and nation-building.
Azura also disclosed that the initiative is projected to cost ₦237.6 million, calling for financial and in-kind support from government, businesses, diplomatic missions and philanthropists.
She said NCWS, which she described as Nigeria’s oldest and largest umbrella body for women, would use the summit to build a nationwide network of women peace ambassadors and generate actionable policy recommendations to strengthen women’s democratic participation before, during and after elections.
“Women are not spectators in democracy,” Azura said, urging Nigerians to support women seeking leadership and recognise their participation as an investment in the country’s peace, security and development.
But the women’s gathering was not all about politics.
Earlier, participants took part in an aerobic exercise session, a reminder that while women spend much of their time caring for families, supporting communities and managing professional responsibilities, their own health is often pushed to the bottom of the list.
Dr Bolatito Alabi, Selena Ali and Princess Ada Okeke were among those encouraging women to make physical exercise part of their daily routine.
Their message was simple: women cannot effectively lead, serve and care for others if they neglect themselves.
For the NCWS, the road to 2027 is therefore about more than winning elections.
It is about ensuring that Nigerian women have the voice, opportunity and strength to help shape the country’s democratic future.
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