Rotimi Amaechi, the former governor of Rivers State, has made a significant pledge. He promised that women would fill half of all federal cabinet positions under his administration. This would happen if he emerges as Nigeria’s President in 2027.

Amaechi delivered this promise on Monday in Lagos. He spoke as the Special Guest of Honour. This was during the inauguration of the Nigeria chapter of the World Women Organisation.

A Commitment to Competence and Inclusivity

The former governor stated that this move is central to his governance blueprint. He insisted that leadership must be defined by competence. Gender, he emphasized, should not be a limiting factor.

Amaechi declared his 2027 presidential ambition in August 2025. He did this under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He said women’s inclusion would be immediately visible and measurable. This would commence from the very first day of his potential presidency.

He further explained how this would work. The federal cabinet typically comprises about 42 ministers. This cabinet, he affirmed, would be evenly split.

“There will be 21 male and 21 female,” Amaechi stated clearly. He added that gender must never be used to question a person’s ability or capacity.

Part of this representation would also include young women in governance. “Ten or 11 will go to the youths,” he noted. The remaining positions would be distributed among women from various age brackets and backgrounds.

Earned Roles, Not Symbolic Tokens

Amaechi stressed an important point. Women must understand that cabinet roles are not symbolic tokens. Instead, he maintained, these are earned seats.

“Women must know that it’s not because they are women. It’s because they are equipped,” he said. He added that lawmakers, young leaders, and political allies must all be assigned roles based on readiness and capacity. Compassion alone should not be the deciding factor.

Addressing Barriers to Women’s Progress

Amaechi also spoke about past legislative reforms he supported. As a former Speaker of the Rivers Assembly, he championed widow protection laws. These laws helped curb harmful cultural practices.

He warned that discriminatory norms still persist. They remain a central block against women’s progress. Minimal access to education also hinders their advancement.

The former governor raised another concern. He noted that women sometimes slow themselves down. This can happen through avoidable internal conflict. Unity, he suggested, would build wider support for inclusion. He concluded, “If women stop fighting themselves, men will be encouraged.”