Abuja witnessed an extraordinary show of political strength on Tuesday as thousands of women from across Nigeria gathered for a historic rally, unveiling a comprehensive charter and signalling the rise of a formidable movement ahead of the 2027 elections.
The event, tagged the National Women Mega Empowerment and Rally 2026 with the theme “The Power of 10 Million,” drew participants from all regions, marking one of the largest coordinated mobilisations of women in the country’s recent history.
Leading the charge was First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who told the crowd that Nigerian women are no longer peripheral players but central drivers of national development. She described the mobilisation as both a testament to women’s resilience and a clear indication of their expanding role in governance, politics and economic growth.
Calling the moment historic, the First Lady paid tribute to the late women’s rights advocate Laila Dogonyaro, noting that her efforts laid the foundation for today’s push for inclusion, particularly in Northern Nigeria. She added that empowering women would reinforce families, strengthen communities and promote national stability.
Tinubu also assured participants that the charter presented at the rally would be forwarded to President Bola Tinubu, reflecting the unified demands and aspirations of Nigerian women.
Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, described the turnout as unprecedented, noting that women are receiving a level of recognition and policy attention never seen before. She revealed that women’s groups have resolved to support President Tinubu’s expected 2027 re-election bid, emphasising the strategic importance of their voting strength.
Reinforcing the political undertone of the gathering, APC Deputy National Women Leader and Chair of the Organising Committee, Zainab Ibrahim, said the rally represented the collective voice of millions demanding greater inclusion across political, economic and educational sectors.
Other stakeholders, including Chioma Uzodimma and Noimot Salako-Oyedele, stressed that the movement goes beyond symbolism, describing it as a structured national platform designed to organise women for sustained influence.
Meanwhile, Lois Auta, President of the Network of Women with Disabilities, highlighted ongoing challenges faced by women with disabilities, particularly their exclusion from political participation despite existing legal frameworks. She called for deliberate action to ensure they can contest and hold elective offices.
By the end of the rally, the gathering had evolved into a defining political moment—one that not only underscored women’s growing influence but also established a coordinated, policy-driven bloc positioning itself at the heart of Nigeria’s development agenda and the unfolding race toward 2027.