APC Women and Youth Council Protests All-Male Appointments at Humanitarian Affairs Ministry

In a show of dissent, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women and Youth Council staged a protest against the recent appointment of two male candidates to key roles within the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, voicing concerns over a lack of gender representation and federal diversity.

Protesters, carrying placards with messages such as “Men are not compassionate enough to run the Humanitarian Ministry,” “No to Women Discrimination,” and “Humanitarian Ministry is not for Political Compensation,” gathered to call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the appointments.

The council’s convener, Jennifer Raymond, expressed dissatisfaction with the nominations of Nentawe Yiltawa as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Chief Ayuba Gufwan as Executive Secretary of the National Commission for People Living with Disabilities, both of whom hail from the same state. Raymond argued this selection compromises the principle of federal character, which is designed to ensure balanced representation from across Nigeria’s diverse regions.

“Humanitarian issues disproportionately affect women and children, who are also crucial stakeholders in crisis response. Their perspectives are essential for crafting effective and equitable policies,” Raymond stated, emphasizing the importance of gender diversity in leadership. She pointed to research indicating that gender-diverse leadership often leads to more innovative and inclusive crisis management solutions—qualities she argued the ministry requires in addressing Nigeria’s humanitarian challenges.

The APC Women and Youth Council concluded by urging President Tinubu to prioritize gender balance within the ministry, advocating for the appointment of a qualified woman with a strong humanitarian background to better reflect the interests and needs of all Nigerians.