Every year, March 8 is a day set aside globally to mark the International Women’s Day. It is usually an occasion to appreciate the unique and spectacular contributions of women to our individual societies and the world at large.

As gathered by EKO HOT BLOG, the theme for 2021 International Women’s Day is “Choose to Challenge.”

For us, this year’s celebration provides ample opportunity to reflect on how President Muhammadu Buhari’s inclusive governance has honoured the rich hive of female talents across the country.

By the turn of the new Millennium, The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which comprised of eight international development goals for the year 2015 that had been established following the Millennium Summit of the United Nations in 2000, sequel to the adoption of the United Nations Millennium Declaration. These were based on the OECD DAC International Development Goals agreed by Development Ministers in the “Shaping the 21st Century Strategy”.

One of the eight cardinal points of these eight (8) Millennium Development Goals was “To Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women,” a resolution which has not necessarily been matched with equal action by all 191 member states that constitute the United Nations.

However, the reality appears indicate a step in the right direction for Nigeria, especially under the aegis of the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration, whose Presidency has continued to promote the notion that, given the opportunity, women have the capability of making a difference at the highest levels of leadership positions and authority.

Below is a list of women under the present administration whose current profiles lends credence to the openness of the PMB Administration to making good on the third Millenium Development Goal in a society that has to a significant extent been mired by Patriarchal tendencies.

(1) Zainab Ahmed, Honourable Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning

Zainab Ahmed, Nigeria’s Minister Of Finance, Budget & National Planning

(2) Sadiya Umar Farouq, Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development

Sadiya Umar Farouq, Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development

(3) Pauline Tallen, Honourable Minister of Women Affairs

Pauline Tallen

(4) Mariam Yalwaji Katagum, Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment

Mariam Yalwaji Katagum

(5) Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM)

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman, NiDCOM

(6) Gbemisola Saraki, Honourable Minister of State for Transportation

Gbemisola Saraki

(7) Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, Honourable Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu

(8) Folashade Yemi-Esan, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation

Folashade Yemi-Esan, Head of Civil Service of the Federation

(9) Mariam Uwais, Special Adviser to the President

(10) Jumoke Oduwole, Special Adviser to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, and Secretary of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC)

(11) Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC)

Mojisola Adeyeye, NAFDAC Boss

(12) Hadiza Bala-Usman, Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)

Hadiza Bala-Usman, M.D, Nigeria Ports Authority

(13) Sharon Ikeazor, Honourable Minister of State for Environment

Sharon Ikeazor

(14) Chioma Ejikeme, Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD)

(15) Patience Oniha, Director-General, Debt Management Office (DMO)

(16) Aisha Dahir-Umar, Director-General, National Pension Commission

16. Aisha Dahir-Umar, Director-General, National Pension Commission

(17) Jummai A.M. Audi, Chairperson, Nigerian Law Reform Commission (NLRC)

(18) Yewande Sadiku, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC)

(19) Gloria Akobundu, National Coordinator/Chief Executive of New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Nigeria

(20) Nnenna Akajemeli, National Coordinator/CEO, SERVICOM

Nnenna Akajemeli

(21) Folashade Joseph, Managing Director, Nigeria Agriculture Insurance Corporation (NAIC)

(22) Cecilia Gaya, Director-General, Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON)

(23) Ronke Sokefun, Chairperson, Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC)

(24) Aishah Ahmad, Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

24. Aishah Ahmad, Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, CBN

(25) Stella Ojekwe-Onyejeli, Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA)

(26) Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

(27) Oge Modie, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Strategic Communications

(28) Toyin Adeniji, Executive Director, Micro Enterprises, Bank of Industry (Oversees the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, GEEP)

(29) Stella Okotete, Executive Director, Business Development, NEXIM Bank

(30) Omolola Abiola-Edewor, Executive Director, Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC)

(31) Imaan Sulaiman–Ibrahim, Director-General, National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP)

(32) Lauretta Onochie, Personal Assistant to the President on Social Media, and INEC Federal Commissioner-nominee.

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