Ikeja: The wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, alongside the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Ibrahim, have voiced their support for the early integration of young adults into Nigeria’s political landscape. This call to action aims to shape governance by involving youth in the political process from an early age. The officials shared their perspectives during the 2025 Lagos State APC Women Summit, themed ‘Arise, Aspire and Ascend’, which took place on Thursday in Ikeja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Minister Imaan Ibrahim, who delivered the keynote address, commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for increasing opportunities for women and youths in his cabinet. She highlighted that 60 percent of the nation’s population is under the age of 25, with a majority being women. The minister urged more women and young people to make their votes count for Tinubu in the 2027 elections. Expressing gratitude to President Tinubu for prioritizing women in his administration, she pledged collective endorsement for the president in the next general election.
The minister further encouraged women to seize the opportunities provided by Tinubu’s cabinet, which includes eight female ministers. She praised the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, for her dedication to empowering women politically and economically. Ibrahim emphasized the importance of increased female representation across all government levels and highlighted the impact of empowerment programs initiated by the ministry and Mrs. Tinubu on promoting economic growth.
Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, on her part, stressed the importance of early mentorship for children to instill an appreciation for civic responsibilities. She pointed to examples from northern Nigeria, where children are exposed early to civic duties, and called on parents in the South-West to adopt similar practices. Sanwo-Olu expressed hope for a shift in mindset towards early political participation among the youth. She noted the low voter turnout during the 2023 general governorship election in Lagos State and called for collaboration among women, youths, and residents to support President Tinubu’s re-election.
In her welcome address, Mrs. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Leader for the state, encouraged women to showcase the ongoing development achievements of the current administration. She emphasized the critical role women play as custodians of democracy and urged them to rise not just in loyalty but in leadership. Okoya-Thomas outlined success stories from empowerment initiatives under President Tinubu’s programs, highlighting the positive impact across local councils.
Okoya-Thomas called on women to support the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu and to carry its message to every local government and home in Nigeria. She praised Tinubu for increasing female representation in government and targeting women’s scale-up projects. Training and empowerment programs by Mrs. Tinubu and the Vice President’s wife, Nana Shettima, were noted for providing skills, access, and confidence to women. Okoya-Thomas urged women and youths to become ambassadors of these achievements, emphasizing that the summit was a launchpad for a movement aimed at shaping perceptions and political participation.
Panelists at the event encouraged women to break cultural barriers and aspire for political offices while urging youth to engage actively in real elections, not just on social media. They discussed the benefits of youth embracing politics and mentorship for Nigeria’s growth.