The Lagos State House of Assembly has reaffirmed its commitment to creating legislative frameworks that foster equity and inclusion in Nigerian society. During a special address at the Women Advocates Research & Documentation Centre (WARDC) Co-creation Workshop in Lagos, the Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, emphasised the need for reforms to combat inequality.
Meranda highlighted findings from the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Gender Gap Report, which ranked Nigeria 125th out of 146 countries in terms of gender parity, particularly in areas such as economic participation and political empowerment. The Speaker pointed to these statistics as a clear signal that urgent legislative action is required to address these disparities.
Meranda further revealed that the Lagos State Assembly plans to introduce a new bill aimed at dismantling systemic inequalities that have excluded marginalized groups for far too long. She acknowledged that, despite Nigeria’s status as Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy, its vast diversity has not been reflected in equitable access to resources and opportunities.
She pointed out that women, low-income individuals, persons with disabilities, and ethnic minorities still face systemic barriers in accessing opportunities and resources, including education, employment, and public services. She also highlighted the underrepresentation of women in political leadership and decision-making roles, where they hold only a small fraction of elective positions.
The Speaker stressed that people living in rural areas, urban slums, and economically disadvantaged communities often struggle to access basic amenities and opportunities. She urged that immediate attention be given to these challenges, as no country can truly progress while leaving a significant portion of its population behind.
As a solution, Meranda called for training and financial support for women, youth, and persons with disabilities to empower them to actively participate in the nation’s economic growth. These initiatives, she noted, would contribute to a more inclusive and prosperous society for all Nigerians.
