The Centre for Food Safety and Agricultural Research (CEFSAR) has called for increased education and advocacy on the ills of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) crops and seeds in Nigeria.
GMO rice
The Deputy Director of CEFSAR, Dr Segun Adebayo, who made the call in an interview on Friday, March 7, 2025, in Lagos, noted that the African Union (AU) is against the takeover of GMOs in the continent, hence the need for individual countries to be wary of its proliferation.
“If the AU is against the proliferation of GMO seeds and crops in our agriculture space, then African countries should be wary against its adoption.
“The adoption of GMOs by local farmers will not be beneficial to our food security or agriculture sector in the long run.
“Unfortunately, the adoption of GMOs is already legalised, without appropriate education of local farmers on what they are cultivating,” he said.
Adebayo said the need for continuous advocacy of the ills of GMOs should be prioritised.
The expert called for the education of local farmers on the components of GMOs and advocacy against its adverse effects on humans.
“Currently, most knowledgeable agriculture stakeholders have been making agitation to undo the signing into law of GMOs in the Nigerian constitution.
“These agitations against GMOs should go beyond lip service because people do not even know the components of what they are consuming daily.
“Not in a bid to sound alarmists on the dangers of GMOs to human health and the agric space as a whole, but people need to be aware of what they are eating, it is fair enough that people know what they are using their money to buy.
“That is why we are very vocal and we are educating people, via every medium to advocate a against GMOs, so people understand exactly what is going on.
“As a centre, we are doing a lot of work, but the media also needs to join in the advocacy against GMOs,” the expert said.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited) and FIRST Exploration & Petroleum Development Company Limited (FIRST E&P) Joint Venture (JV) have made a significant hydrocarbon discovery in the Songhai Field, located in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 85. The milestone is seen as a critical step in the JV’s ongoing efforts to boost oil production and sustainability over the next five years.
GCEO, NNPC Ltd, Mr. Mele Kyari
The well, which was spudded on November 18, 2024, has been drilled to a total depth of 8,883 feet in 30 meters of water. It encountered hydrocarbons across eight reservoirs, logging over 1,000 feet of hydrocarbon-bearing sands, most of which exhibit excellent reservoir properties. Preliminary analysis indicates substantial oil and gas volumes, confirming the field’s significant commercial potential.
Segun Owolabi, General Manager of Exploration and Development at FIRST E&P, described the discovery as a major achievement for the JV.
“This discovery marks a major milestone in our efforts to unlock the full potential of our assets,” Owolabi said. “The success at Songhai Field underscores the effectiveness of our exploration strategy and our commitment to delivering sustainable value to all stakeholders.”
NNPC Limited, as the majority partner in the JV, emphasised the strategic importance of the find, particularly in supporting Nigeria’s production growth and cost optimisation targets.
Seyi Omotowa, Chief Upstream Investment Officer at NNPC Limited, highlighted that the success aligns with the company’s broader upstream objectives.
“This aligns with NNPC Limited’s mandate to drive production growth and cost optimization,” Omotowa said. “The success at Songhai Field reflects our commitment to strategic partnerships, advanced technology, and efficient operations to maximize Nigeria’s hydrocarbon potential sustainably.”
Mallam Mele Kyari, Group CEO of NNPC Limited, further stressed the significance of collaboration in expanding Nigeria’s hydrocarbon reserves.
“This discovery reaffirms the potential of Nigeria’s offshore assets and the importance of collaboration in boosting reserves and production,” Kyari noted. “NNPC Limited remains committed to driving efficiency and long-term value creation for the nation.”
Currently, the JV maintains a steady daily production of approximately 57,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) from its OML 83 and 85 assets. The new discovery in the Songhai Field is expected to further enhance production and contribute to Nigeria’s energy security.
The discovery also highlights the importance of operational excellence and safety. The JV has achieved over 9 million man-hours of Lost Time Injury (LTI)-free operations, setting a high standard for safe and responsible hydrocarbon development.
This achievement strengthens Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and underscores the JV’s role in supporting the Federal Government’s goal of increasing national hydrocarbon production and reserves while ensuring sustainable energy growth.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has vowed to investigate and sanction officers involved in the invasion of Ikeja Electric’s premises in Lagos on Thursday, March 6, 2025.
Ikeja Electric and Nigerian Air Force (NAF) officials
Speaking at a press briefing, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Adeniran Kolade Ademuwagun, Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Logistics Command, condemned the incident and reassured the public of the NAF’s commitment to discipline and professionalism.
“We will investigate what happened and impose appropriate sanctions. The Nigerian Air Force takes the safety of citizens very seriously, and Ikeja Electric should continue providing services without fear of disturbance,” Ademuwagun said.
He further apologised to Ikeja Electric, describing the invasion as unfortunate.
“The Nigerian Air Force is a disciplined force, and any action that undermines our integrity will not be tolerated,” he added.
Chairman of Ikeja Electric, Kola Adesina, revealed that at least 10 employees were injured, while company assets were vandalised or taken.
“About 200 staff were on-site when the incident occurred. Reports confirmed that 10 individuals were brutalised, and several office assets were destroyed or removed,” Adesina stated.
He linked the invasion to a long-standing N4 billion debt dispute between NAF and Ikeja Electric but confirmed ongoing discussions to resolve the matter.
“We recognise the Air Force’s importance, but electricity services must be paid for,” Adesina emphasised.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue and finding a sustainable solution for stable electricity supply.
Africa’s national oil companies (NOCs) are moving beyond operating as state-representatives by transforming themselves into competitive upstream players. By strengthening their balance-sheets through partial privatisation, transferring their regulatory roles to independent entities and acquiring more assets, NOCs are emerging as strong partners for foreign firms.
Libya’s NOC is working with IOCs Repsol, bp, TotalEnergies and ConocoPhillips
Boosting Production
Major oil producers in Africa are striving to boost production and NOC-IOC collaboration is at the forefront. Libya’s NOC is working with IOCs (international oil companies) Repsol, bp, TotalEnergies, ConocoPhillips and more to increase output to two million barrels per day (bpd). In collaboration with the NOC, TotalEnergies has achieved a 20% increase in production at the Waha field; Repsol plans to drill nine new prospects in 2025; while Eni is planning four exploration wells in 2025.
Algeria’s Sonatrach will increase hydrocarbon production by 2.5% this year, actively pursuing international partnerships following a revision of its Hydrocarbons Law in 2029. Negotiations are underway with ExxonMobil and Chevron to boost exploration. These efforts reflect a broader trend across the continent, where NOCs are leaning on foreign partnerships to advance oil and gas production.
Advancing Gas Monetisation
Amid a surge in gas monetisation, Africa has emerged as a major LNG producer. Collaboration between NOCs and IOCs have been at the forefront of this gas drive, leading to the emergence of new LNG exporters.
Senegal’s Petrosen and Mauritania’s SMH worked alongside bp and Kosmos Energy to develop the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project – situated on the maritime border of the two countries and producing first LNG in January 2025.
Mozambique’s ENH is working closely with foreign operators to develop several LNG projects, including TotalEnergies (Mozambique LNG); ExxonMobil (Rovuma LNG) and Eni (Coral South and Coral North). The 3.4 mtpa Coral South FLNG project has been operating since 2022 while ExxonMobil plans to make FID on Rovuma LNG in 2026.
The Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation is developing the Tanzania LNG project, working with Shell and Equinor to monetise resources in Blocks 1, 2 and 4. While development has been delayed, the operators remain committed to collaboratively bringing the project online.
In Angola, which has been an LNG producer since 2013, the NOC Sonangol is working with its New Gas Consortium partners Azule Energy, Cabinda Gulf Oil Company and TotalEnergies to increase LNG production capacity. The partners completed the offshore platform for Angola’s first non-associated gas project in February 2025, with production on track for early-2026.
Unlocking New E&P Markets
A slate of discoveries in recent years have opened up new oil and gas plays across the continent. Following an increase in its oil and gas budget from $120 million to $246 million for the 2024/2025 period, the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) is driving exploration across underexplored areas in the country. In partnership with TotalEnergies and CNOOC, the company will start production at the Kingfisher and Tilenga oilfields in 2025. UNOC is also advancing exploration in the Moroto-Kyoga basins, with preliminary studies aimed at uncovering new oil fields.
In Namibia, NAMCOR is working with IOCs toward first oil production from the Orange Basin by 2029. Major projects include the Mopane field, which made its third discovery last month, and the Venus field, which targets FID in 2026. The company aims to secure higher stakes in future oil and gas projects – increasing its share from the minimum 10% to between 20-30% – underscoring a commitment to greater participation in field development.
Meanwhile, the South Africa National Petroleum Company (SANPC) – launched in September 2024 – strives to facilitate greater investment in exploration, natural gas monetisation and infrastructure development.
While major gas deposits were found in the Outeniqua Basin in 2019 and 2020, operational challenges have impacted development. The SANPC seeks to address these challenges through IOC collaboration and foreign investment. The company also strives to unlock the potential of the Orange Basin.
Fostering Collaboration at African Energy Week 2025
As the largest energy event in Africa, African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies facilitates collaboration between Africa’s NOCs and international operators. Taking place in Cape Town from September 29 to October 3, 2025, the event offers a platform for strategic dialogue, networking and dealmaking.
“African NOCs are driving the continent’s next wave of innovative oil and gas developments. By partnering with global operators and strengthening their operational capacity, NOCs are not only driving projects forward but showcasing the competitiveness of African operators,” states Tomás Gerbasio, VP Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber.
UN-Habitat has launched a pioneering waste-to-energy project in Tunisia, converting landfill biogas into clean electricity. The initiative, implemented at the Oued Laya controlled landfill, marks a significant step in addressing the country’s waste management and energy challenges.
Tunis, Tunisia
Tunisia has been facing a growing waste management crisis, with accumulating waste since 2022 deteriorating air and water quality. Landfill emissions, particularly biomethane, pose severe environmental and health risks. At the same time, Tunisia imports nearly 60 per cent of its electricity, underscoring the need for alternative energy sources.
The new project, implemented in collaboration with national and international partners, utilises a 50 kW micro-cogeneration unit to capture and process landfill biogas. The system generates 60 kWh of electricity daily – enough to supply power to 500 homes annually. If expanded, it has the potential to provide electricity for 22,000 homes each year, reducing dependence on imported energy and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
Advancing sustainability and energy security
The project demonstrates how waste can be transformed into a valuable energy source, contributing to a circular economy. By mitigating toxic emissions and generating clean electricity, it improves air quality, reduces environmental hazards, and supports sustainable urban development.
The official launch event brought together key stakeholders, including the Japanese Ambassador to Tunisia, representatives from the National Agency for Waste Management (ANGED), the National Agency for Energy Management (ANME), and other partners. Attendees toured the landfill and witnessed the first-ever connection of a biogas unit to Tunisia’s national electricity grid, marking a milestone in the country’s renewable energy transition.
“Transforming waste into renewable energy not only reduces emissions but also establishes a model of resilience and sustainability that can inspire similar efforts across Tunisia and beyond,” said Mr. Majdi Frihi, project lead at UN-Habitat Tunisia.
Japan’s Ambassador to Tunisia, Mr. Takeshi Osuga, highlighted the initiative’s significance: “This project marks Tunisia’s first initiative to convert waste into renewable energy. I am pleased to see the recommendation of the Tunis Declaration from TICAD 8 materializing in collaboration with our trusted partners, including UN-Habitat, the Ministry of Environment, Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas (STEG), the Governorate of Sousse, and ANGED.”
The waste-to-energy project sets the foundation for similar initiatives across Tunisia, demonstrating the potential of innovative solutions to tackle environmental challenges while advancing clean energy and sustainability.
In celebration of International Women’s Month 2025, UNIDO Philippines, in partnership with Artisanal Gold Council Philippines, BAN Toxics, and Clean Air Asia, hosted “Unite for All Women: A Just, Green, and Inclusive Economy!” – a forum that spotlights women’s leadership in driving environmental sustainability and economic development.
Participants at the Unite for All Women forum
The event at Novotel Manila Araneta City Hotel gathered around 200 representatives from government agencies, local government units, local and international development organisations, private sector groups, academia and grassroots communities.
It highlighted the vital role women play across various industries – from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) to healthcare waste management, to electric vehicle and public transport industries – in advancing inclusive and sustainable industrialisation in the country.
“Women are powerful agents of change. By championing gender inclusion in environmental sustainability and industrial development, we unlock women’s potential as innovators and decision-makers – driving solutions that accelerate climate action, strengthen community resilience, and create a greener, more equitable future for all,” said Teddy Monroy, UNIDO Philippines Country Representative
The forum featured three UNIDO implemented projects funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF): the planetGOLD Philippines Project on mercury-free artisanal small-scale gold mining, the Philippine Healthcare and Mercury Wastes Management Project (HCW Project), and the Accelerating the adoption and scale-up of electric mobility for low-carbon city development in the Philippines (e-mobility ASAP Project) promoting the development of electrification of our transport sector.
Through panel discussions, and parallel sessions, women leaders from these sectors shared their experiences, challenges and achievements, and visions for a more inclusive future.
“Women’s leadership in the ASGM sector goes beyond breaking stereotypes – they are at the forefront of promoting mercury-free mining practices, protecting natural resources, and uplifting mining communities.
“Their participation ensures that small-scale mining becomes formalised, safer, more responsible, and community-centered,” said Abigail Ocate, National Project Manager for the planetGOLD Philippines Project of Artisanal Gold Council Philippines.
The event’s parallel sessions focused on women’s contributions in key sectors: artisanal small-scale gold mining, healthcare waste management, and automotive and public transport sectors. BAN Toxics facilitated discussions on the impact of healthcare waste on women and their role in driving solutions, while Clean Air Asia engaged participants on gender dynamics and challenges in the transport sector.
“Women make up 75% of the health profession and as a result, improper healthcare waste management can significantly impact women’s health. Women’s involvement in addressing healthcare waste management is critical in building more resilient and healthier communities. Their leadership drives solutions that safeguard both the environment and public health,” shared Jam Lorenzo, Deputy Executive Director of BAN Toxics and HCW Project Manager.
Ahn Meg Adonis, Sustainable Transport Lead of Clean Air Asia, emphasised the importance of inclusivity in e-mobility, stating, “As we work to jumpstart the local electric vehicle manufacturing industry and advocate for public transport electrification, integrating gender perspectives and empowering women in critical industries ensures that the benefits of e-mobility are accessible and equitable for all.”
During the closing ceremonies, Artisanal Gold Council Philippines together with women miners from project sites, Paracale, Camarines Norte and Sagada, Mt. Province, launched an original song “Isulong ang Pagkilos (Ginto ng Bayan)” – a call to support and accelerate action for women to achieve holistic change in the industries. The song highlights women’s vital contributions and the need to advance gender equality in small-scale mining and other sectors.
By amplifying women’s voices and leadership, “Unite for All Women” reinforces the essential role of women in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The forum served as a platform for collective action – encouraging partnerships and concrete solutions to break down gender barriers and promote women’s equal participation in environmental action and economic development and ensure no one is left behind.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, has reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of President Bola Tinubu to ensuring that every Nigerian citizen has unfettered access to abundant and nutritious food.
Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security
Kyari made this known at the launch of 2025 dry season farming and distribution of Ramadan Palliatives to people of Kebbi State by Gov. Nasir Idris in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, March 6.
“President Tinubu has consistently provided conducive environment and empowerment to farmers to increase yields towards the attainment of food security which is already on the horizon.
“The Federal Government will continue to work together with states and local government councils to bring prosperity through agricultural production.
“I commend the initiative of our amiable and esteemed Kebbi Governor, Nasir Idris, for placing premium on developing the agricultural sector which witnessed bumper harvests and reduction of food prices.
“The emphasis attached to dry season farming is a portent vehicle for food security,” the minister said.
Kyari expressed delight over the distribution of thousands of water pumping machines, sprayers and power tillers as well as thousands of litres of herbicides, pesticides and organic fertilisers by the present administration.
Launching the distribution exercise, Gov. Idris, said the government was aware of the challenges of dry season farming by farmers that necessitated his administration to provide them with the required agricultural inputs to reduce hardship in cultivation.
“Last year, I launched the KADAGE programme in tandem with the policy of Tinubu administration to revolutionise the agricultural sector towards food sufficiency and improve the wellbeing of farmers and youths.
“The agricultural landscape has witnessed positive changes in Kebbi with the distribution of free fertilisers to farmers, provision of inputs including improved rice seeds as well as pests control that destroy crops, especially millet and rice.
“My administration is fully aware that agriculture is the major platform for economic development of our nation.
“I am thankful to President Tinubu, the Minister of Agriculture and the National Council on Agriculture, for approving the use of residual moisture for Agricultural production in Kebbi for 15,000 farmers affected by flooding last year to mitigate losses incurred,” he said.
On Ramadan Palliatives, Idris, announced that all segments of the society had been considered for allocation.
“Civil Servants, teachers, local government staff, House of Assembly, NLC/TUC, members of the executive council, security services, traditional institutions, army widows, police widows, boards and agencies as well as residents of all the polling units in the state are beneficiaries.
“Commissioners and other top government officials involved in the distribution have been taken care of.
“No commissioner, Adviser or any political appointee should touch anything out of these palliative items.
“Some commissioners or otherwise are reported to be saying that, they are not benefitting from office, but that’s untrue; all rights and privileges of government functionaries are well protected by my administration.
“Whoever feels that he’s not getting enough, should resign from his/her position and vacate the office,” the governor said.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Yakubu Bala-Tafida, warned that security agencies had been empowered to arrest any person selling off the agricultural items provided to them.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Shehu Ma’azu, recalled that the state started its dry season farming’s drive, sustained and intensified during the tenure of former Governors Adamu Aleiro, Sa’idu Dakingari, Sen. Atiku Bagudu respectively.
“Kebbi is indeed a hub for agriculture, and agricultural bright landscape of the country by sustaining and intensifying the initiative by Gov. Idris-led administration,” he said.
Muazu urged the beneficiaries to utilise the gesture to cushion the effects of challenges faced during Ramadan as well as dry season farming in the state.
President Donald Trump signs an executive order as he attends an indoor Presidential Inauguration parade event at Capital One Arena, on January 20, 2025, in Washington. Photo credit: Evan Vucci/AP
South Africa, the first country to secure a JETP agreement, was set to receive over $1.5 billion in financial support from the US to transition from coal to renewable energy; however, their exit now leaves a significant funding gap.
This decision follows a troubling pattern of the United States rolling back its climate commitments, including its earlier announcement to exit the Paris Agreement.
According to 350Africa, the US’s pullback from the JETP marks a dangerous precedent, particularly as the world faces an escalating climate crisis and growing inequality.
Landry Ninteretse, 350Africa’s Regional Director, said: “By withdrawing from the JETP, the United States is abandoning its responsibility to support countries like South Africa, which are on the frontlines of the climate crisis and will now face an even steeper climb in achieving its clean energy commitments.
“This is a regressive step, and a betrayal of the trust placed in wealthy nations to honour their financial obligations towards the global transition to clean energy. The US must recognise that climate justice requires concrete, sustained support for developing nations, not retreat from multilateral commitments.”
Tshepo Peele, South Africa Team Lead, said: “While the US withdrawal from JETP certainly impacts the financial framework for South Africa’s energy transition, the urgency of a just, renewable-powered future remains unchanged. South Africa must continue to honour its climate commitments, and this moment should push the government to accelerate its plans for a green economy, moving away from coal and scaling up renewables.
“With South Africa hosting the G20 this year, it presents a crucial opportunity to strengthen the country’s climate leadership, advocate for increased international support, and prioritise forging new, stronger partnerships with countries and institutions committed to ensuring a just and equitable energy transition.”
350Africa calls on South Africa and its remaining international partners to ensure the momentum of the energy transition is not stalled.
“South Africa’s commitment to a clean and equitable energy future is more important than ever, and efforts must be made to secure alternative sources of funding to fill the gap left by the US’s retreat,” submitted the group.
Civil society organisations including Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately declare the widespread violence against women and the escalating femicide crisis in Nigeria “a national emergency and threat to national security”.
Stop femicide campaign
They also weighed in on the ongoing controversy between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio and condemned her suspension by the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly.
In a joint statement issued on the occasion of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, the organisations emphasised that this year’s theme, “Accelerate Action,” speaks to the urgency of dismantling entrenched structures of violence and patriarchy, and oppressive norms that continue to endanger the lives of women and prevent them from realising their full potential.
Speaking further, they stated: “Despite Nigerian women’s historical and ongoing contributions to national development, they remain systematically undermined, subjected to unchecked violence, and forced to live in fear in many instances.”
Ngozi-Juba Nwosu, Executive Director,VisionSpring Initiatives, said: “Femicide, which manifests as the deliberate killing of women and girls simply because of their gender, has recorded an alarming growth in recent times. Since the start of 2025, nearly 30 women have suffered gruesome murders, but these are only the cases that made it to the public eye. Countless others remain unheard, their stories buried by silence, institutional neglect, and impunity.
“Meanwhile, many of these killings have been carried out by those closest to them – intimate partners, family members and trusted relatives.”
These attacks on women, the statement noted, form part of a deeper crisis that demands urgent and decisive government intervention.
“These reprehensible attacks should unsettle every person with a conscience. Women are the backbone of economies and entire communities. When they are constantly under attack, our nation suffers. Women constitute about 49.5 percent of Nigeria’s population – no society can prosper when nearly half its citizens live in perpetual fear of extermination,” said Betty Abah, Executive Director, Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE).
Interrogating the factors that promote gender-based violence and femicide in Nigeria, the organisations identified lack of access to education, insecurity, institutional misogyny – reinforced by weak legal frameworks and poor law enforcement – as key enablers.
The statement further expressed that “Domestic and intimate partner violence remains rampant, fuelled by cultural and religious beliefs that uphold male dominance and discourage women from exiting abusive relationships. Economic disempowerment further exacerbates the crisis, as poverty and limited access to resources often leave women vulnerable to exploitation and fatal violence.”
Additionally, the prevalence of ritual killings across the country persists, often justified by superstitious beliefs and wealth-seeking practices.
“This is why we welcomed the National Film and Videos Censors Board’s (NFVCB) historic 2024 legislation prohibiting the glamourisation of smoking and ritual killings in Nollywood films. This policy shift aligns with our longstanding campaign to cleanse our screens of narratives that normalise and reinforce an unhealthy culture. The Regulation, though a step in the right direction, is far from sufficient,” said Zikora Ibeh, Assistant Director, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation.
The CSOs stressed that tackling the crisis of gender-based violence, ritual killings and femicide requires a multi-layered approach that goes beyond film regulations.
“Existing laws, such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015, must be rigorously enforced, ensuring that perpetrators of femicide and other forms of violence face real consequences.”
While the VAPP Act is a critical legal instrument designed to eliminate violence in both private and public life, its impact remains limited due to lack of political will, weak enforcement mechanisms, and insufficient advocacy. The CSOs warned that unless decisive action is taken, the situation will worsen.
They called on the Nigerian government at both the federal and state levels, alongside key stakeholders such as the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), to acknowledge the gravity of this crisis and demonstrate genuine commitment to upholding Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which guarantees the right to life for all individuals.
They called for increased allocation of resources to strengthen protection mechanisms for women, the creation of targeted programs to address economic inequalities, and strategic support to equip more women with the skills requisite for financial independence.
They also requested the establishment of national emergency hotlines and the provision of safe shelters for those at risk.
More critically, they called for a radical overhaul of key institutions, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, which has long served as an enforcer of institutional misogyny rather than a protector of women’s rights.
“Too often, reports of gender-based violence are dismissed as ‘family matters’, allowing perpetrators to walk free while survivors are left to suffer in silence and shame. Without a total reorientation of law enforcement and the criminal justice system, violence against women will remain state-sanctioned, and the cycle of abuse will continue unbroken,” Ibeh added.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio
The organisations also weighed in on the ongoing controversy between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
They described her suspension as “mischievously hasty, absurd, and most depressingly, a well-executed orchestrated mockery of International Women’s Day in Nigeria”.
“Her six-month suspension is not only a targeted witch hunt and outright political purge of dissent but also a brazen abuse of power, robbing her constituents of their right to representation. This pattern of legislative repression has already been declared unconstitutional in Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege v. Senate & 2 Ors (2018).”
The organisations demanded a public hearing and the establishment of an independent panel – comprising impartial citizens, legal experts, and civil society groups – to conduct a transparent investigation into the grave allegations at the heart of this dispute.
Whilst emphasising that the National Assembly is not a self-serving institution but a body accountable to the people, the CSOs lamented that, since the start of the controversy, the responses from both male and female legislators have been revealing – not in their demand for due process or justice, but in their swift condemnation of Senator Natasha herself.
“Rather than upholding justice and democratic principles, as well as insisting on an independent inquiry, they have closed ranks, reinforcing a political order that defines women’s participation in politics as conditional, precarious, and ultimately disposable.”
This reaction, the CSOs observed, reflects a system that structures women’s political existence to endure abuse, coercion, and humiliation lest they be cast as weak, disruptive, or unfit for the ruthless terrain of power.
“Women in politics are expected to endure violence and suppression in silence, their subjugation repackaged as a test of resilience and loyalty to the establishment. Any refusal to accept this unspoken rule is met with swift retribution, as seen in the political elite’s collective dismissal of Natasha’s allegations.
“With only a handful of female politicians occupying key positions, and even so, confined to the periphery of decision-making, the urgent task is not just to increase their numbers but to break the very structures that render their presence symbolic at best. This requires building strong democratic institutions that do not encourage the systemic exclusion of women in political spaces,” they concluded.
In commemoration of 2025 International Women’s Day, the Ecosteward and Humanitarian Foundation (EHF) has relaunched its unwavering opposition to the social, political, environmental, sexual, and socioeconomic oppression that women experience globally.
Staff members of the Ecosteward and Humanitarian Foundation (EHF), as well as other rights activists, during a faith-based climate change programme in Abuja
These repressive institutions are interconnected, according to the environmental rights non-profit, and its mission is to support concerted efforts to abolish their interconnection in order to address the various injustices that women face and advance their basic human rights.
Idiang Magdalene, EHF’s gender justice specialist, highlighted women’s roles as frontline climate solution providers in their own communities, whether as farmers, scientists, activists, or policymakers.
However, he bemoaned that systemic hurdles such as insufficient finance, exclusion from policymaking processes, and patriarchal sociopolitical institutions continue to undermine these roles.
This problem, he added, exposes millions of women to climatic dangers, warning that unless quick action is taken, the crisis will not only exacerbate poverty and instability but will also erode hard-won advances in gender equality.
Speaking about his work in Africa, the gender justice expert explained how he has witnessed the ecological and climate crises, to which women have contributed the least, disproportionately affecting them.
He continued by saying that these women still advocate and implement alternative models of production, community relations, and interdependence with nature in spite of the obstacles.
These living alternatives, as seen in how women produce, exchange, care for, and regenerate natural resources, “are the backbone of sustainable futures, offering a stark contrast to the destructive extractive’ model,” Magdalene stated in a press release made available to EnviroNews by EHF on Friday, March 7, 2025.
In the same vein, Margaret Bartholomew, another EHF team member, while also underlining how pivotal these roles are to advancing environmental protection, acknowledged women as leaders in sustainability, who are driving innovative solutions in agriculture, energy, and policy.
“Women are leading decentralised, community-controlled renewable energy projects that offer a path toward a fossil fuel-free future,” she said.
According to her, this year’s IWD theme, “Accelerate Actions,” is a clarion call to promote women’s rights and provide them with access to land, credit, seeds, and agricultural tools as one of the quickest ways to reduce hunger, because when women farmers are supported, entire communities thrive, children are educated, and rural development is fast-tracked.
Francisca Edeh wants women’s rights, capacity building, and digital inclusion to be given priority so they can fight misinformation and make their voices heard.
Like the other speakers, she sees the celebration’s theme as a rallying cry to increase women’s leadership in climate action and make gender-responsive financing for climate programmes a priority in Nigeria and other African countries.
“Women-led projects require adequate funding and institutional support, with women’s voices placed at the centre of climate decision-making – not relegated to the margins,” Edeh canvassed.
EHF’s work is sustained by great love and solidarity, which allows the organisation to continue fighting, destroy oppressive systems, and create a new world in which women lead the battle for justice, equality, and sustainability.
