CurrentReport Blog The Women and Youth Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has publicly protested the recent appointment of two male leaders to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, demanding greater gender balance and regional representation in leadership positions. On Tuesday, members of the council gathered at the National Assembly, carrying signs with statements like “Men Are Not Compassionate Enough To Run the Humanitarian Ministry,” “We Say No To Women Discrimination,” and “Humanitarian Ministry is Not For Political Compensation.”
The protest, led by Jennifer Raymond, focused on the recent appointments of Nentawe Yilwatda as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and Chief Ayuba Gufwan as Executive Secretary of the National Commission for People Living with Disabilities, both from Plateau State. The council argues that these selections do not uphold the federal character principle, which is intended to ensure fair regional and demographic representation across Nigeria’s government sectors.
Raymond emphasized that a humanitarian ministry must be sensitive to gender representation to effectively address the needs of all communities, particularly those most affected by crises, such as women and children. “Research has shown that organizations with gender-diverse leadership tend to perform better in crisis situations, as women bring unique perspectives and innovative approaches to humanitarian challenges,” she stated.
The group is urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to revisit these appointments and to include women leaders with demonstrated experience in humanitarian efforts. They argue that such a move would align with Nigeria’s commitment to federal character and enhance the Ministry’s effectiveness in delivering impactful and equitable humanitarian responses.
This call for diversity in the Ministry’s leadership underscores a broader appeal for inclusive governance as Nigeria tackles critical humanitarian issues. The APC Women and Youth Council believes that gender and regional representation will strengthen decision-making and foster resilience in the face of the nation’s ongoing challenges.
