Jul 25, 2026

“Kitchen Era Is Over”: Onaiyekan Urges Women to Claim Frontline Leadership in 2027

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in politics

👁️ loading views...

Abuja, Nigeria – July 25, 2026—Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has issued a powerful call for Nigerian women to step boldly into politics and actively seek leadership positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during the 2026 Catholic Women Organisation, Abuja Archdiocese (CWOAA) Day celebration at St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Church in Apo, Abuja, the cardinal described women as indispensable partners in national development.

He urged them to use their talents and influence for the growth of both the Church and society.

“Differences Do Not Mean Inequality”

Reflecting on the biblical story of the mother of the sons of Zebedee, Onaiyekan encouraged women to make legitimate demands for leadership opportunities.

He stressed that the clear differences between men and women should never be interpreted as a sign of lesser value or capability.

“The difference is clear between men and women, but that difference should never be interpreted to mean that women are less,” he said.

In a longer reflection, the cardinal emphasized complementarity rooted in creation itself: women were never meant to be an afterthought but an essential element in God’s design and in nation-building.

He warned against cultural or political systems that treat those differences as justification for exclusion.

Parties Must Change Late-Night Meeting Culture

Onaiyekan was clear that nothing stops women from participating fully in politics. The real barrier, he argued, lies in how political parties operate.

“Nothing stops women from being in politics. However, political parties must change their style such as scheduling meetings from midnight to 3:00 a.m., which disadvantages mothers,” he stated.

He called on organized groups like the Catholic Women’s Organization to wield their collective strength to force those changes and to push for greater inclusion in political decision-making.

Mentorship and Active Preparation

The cardinal also urged successful Catholic women already serving in government, business and the civil service to mentor younger women and deliberately open doors for them.

He praised the CWO as a formidable platform capable of driving socio-political and economic transformation.

Supporting the message, Archdiocesan Chaplain of CWOAA, Rev. Fr. Victor Ogunyemi, told the gathering that the era of women remaining “at the backyard or in the kitchen” is long over.

He urged women to register to vote, update their voter cards, declare their qualifications without apology, and pursue elective offices with courage and confidence.

CWOAA President Mrs. Nnenna Ihukwe reinforced the call, noting that women have long contributed to nation-building from the family outward and are now determined to march forward with greater visibility and impact.

A Timely Push for Greater Inclusion

The remarks come at a time when women’s representation in Nigerian politics remains low relative to their population and contributions.

Onaiyekan’s intervention adds a strong moral and institutional voice to ongoing conversations about removing structural barriers ahead of 2027.

By framing political participation as both a right and a responsibility, the cardinal and other clerics present sought to inspire women to move from the margins into the center of decision-making—for the good of families, the Church and the nation.

As the countdown to 2027 continues, the message from Apo is clear: Nigerian women are being called not merely to support but to lead.