Nigeria, Oct. 3 -- Women leaders and gender inclusion advocates have warned that Nigeria risks sliding backwards on gender equality unless urgent steps are taken to expand women's participation in governance.

The call was made at the 9th edition of the Voice of Women (VOW) Conference and Awards, in Abuja on Thursday. The 2025 edition is themed "Nigerian Women and the Power of Collective Action."

The annual conference, convened by Women Radio, brought together government officials, development partners, traditional leaders, civil society groups and grassroots women from across the country to push for women's political inclusion ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking at the event, the co-founder of the Amandla Institute for Policy and Lea...