Court Orders Nigerian Government To Reserve 35% Of Public Offices For Women

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 ordered the Nigerian government to enforce the National Gender Policy by allotting 35 per cent of appointments in the public sector to women.

A non-governmental organisation, Women in Politics Forum (WIPF), filed a suit against the Nigerian government, seeking the implementation of the 35 per cent Affirmative Action in appointments of women into public office.

Justice Donatus Okorowo while delivering judgment noted that the Nigerian government has obligations not only to implement the 35% affirmative action but also to make it a benchmark in appointments.

The court also implored the Nigerian government to obey the equality clause contained in the 1999 constitution as amended which treats both males and females equally.