By Ogochukwu isioma
Edo State has been ranked among the top three states in Nigeria with 35 percent women occupying cabinet positions in government, keeping in line with the National Gender Policy which stipulates 35 percent Affirmative Action in Nigeria since 2006.
The report was released by InvictusAfrica, which measured Women’s Representation in African Politics (WRAPs) with a focus on Nigeria State Cabinets between 2019 to 2023.
In the report, Edo emerged as the only state controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 35% representation in government, with 7 women appointees out of 20 cabinet positions, representing 35% of appointees. The top two states are Kwara with 9 out of 16 positions, representing 56% of appointees and Kaduna, with 9 out of 17 cabinet positions, representing 53% of appointees.
InvictusAfrica said the cabinet positions considered comprise commissioners, Head of Service and Secretary to the State Government.
It added that “Some States have more ministries than cabinet positions. Thus, some Ministries are jointly led by one Commissioner. Where more than one state has the same percentage, ranking is alphabetically arranged.
“Kwara State ranks first and is the only State with a majority women cabinet and Kebbi State ranks last and is the only state with no female cabinet member.”
According to the report, the states least ranked are Kebbi with 0 women from 11 positions; Zamfara with one woman from 19 cabinet positions; Sokoto with 2 women from 24 cabinet positions and Yobe with 2 women from 22 cabinet positions.
