COMMUNIQUÉ-ISSUED-AT-THE-END-OF-THE-NIGER-DELTA-WOMEN-CONFERENCE-2026

COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE NIGER DELTA WOMEN CONFERENCE 2026. 

WISDOM TIDE NEWS /March 5, 2026

​COMMUNIQUÉ: 

NIGER DELTA WOMEN CONFERENCE 2026

​THEME: “EMPOWERING NIGER DELTA WOMEN FOR ENHANCED POLITICAL INCLUSION, PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT THROUGH ADVOCACY FOR THE PASSAGE OF THE SPECIAL SEATS BILL (SSB)”

​HELD AT: LADY DAIMA HALL, OMBI ROAD, EKETI, YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE

DATE: TUESDAY, 5TH MARCH 2026

​1.0 PREAMBLE

​THE CONFERENCE REFLECTS A COLLECTIVE COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING THE ROLE OF WOMEN AS KEY REQUISITES TO GOVERNANCE, PEACE, AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE NIGER DELTA. IT RECOGNIZES THAT MEANINGFUL PROGRESS IN THE REGION IS CLOSELY LINKED TO THE INCLUSION, EMPOWERMENT, AND LEADERSHIP OF WOMEN IN ALL SPHERES OF SOCIETY.

​KEY OBJECTIVES:

• ​INCREASE AWARENESS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN POLITICAL LEADERSHIP.
• ​ADVOCATE FOR THE PASSAGE OF THE SPECIAL SEATS BILL (SSB) CURRENTLY BEFORE THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.
• ​BUILD WOMEN’S CAPACITY IN LEADERSHIP, PUBLIC SPEAKING, AND ADVOCACY.
• ​PROMOTE NETWORKING AND COALITION BUILDING AMONG WOMEN LEADERS AND CIVIL SOCIETY.
• ​CREATE A NIGER DELTA WOMEN’S FUND TO FACILITATE POLITICAL ACTIVITIES FOR INDIGENT WOMEN.

​2.0 OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

​THE CONFERENCE NOTED AND RECOMMENDED THE FOLLOWING:

• ​REGIONAL DEMOGRAPHICS: THE NIGER DELTA MAKES UP ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE NIGERIAN FEDERATION; EXCLUDING WOMEN FROM DECISION-MAKING HINDERS REGIONAL STABILITY.
• ​STAKEHOLDER FORUMS: THE NEED TO ENGENDER A "STAKEHOLDERS' FORUM" BRINGING TOGETHER WOMEN LEADERS, POLICYMAKERS, AND CIVIL SOCIETY.
• ​EDUCATION & MENTORSHIP: PARTNER WITH UNIVERSITIES AND NGOs FOR LEADERSHIP TRAINING AND ESTABLISH MENTORSHIP PLATFORMS.
• ​MONITORING: PERIODICALLY MONITORING AND EVALUATING PROGRESS REGARDING WOMEN’S INCLUSION.
• ​PANDEF ACTION: THE PAN-NIGER DELTA FORUM (PANDEF) SHOULD SET UP A REGIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE TO IMPLEMENT THESE RESOLUTIONS.

​3.0 CALL TO ACTION

​THE CONFERENCE CALLS ON:

• ​WOMEN: TO BE INTENTIONAL, GET PREPARED, AND GET INVOLVED WITHOUT PARTY AFFILIATIONS PREVENTING UNITY.
• ​THE PRESIDENT & NATIONAL ASSEMBLY: TO PRIORITIZE AND EXPEDITE THE PASSAGE OF THE SPECIAL SEATS BILL.
• ​STATE GOVERNMENTS: TO PUBLICLY SUPPORT CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS THAT ENHANCE WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT.
• ​POLITICAL PARTIES: TO INSTITUTIONALIZE INTERNAL QUOTAS AND REDUCE FINANCIAL BARRIERS FOR FEMALE ASPIRANTS.

​4.0 CONCLUSION

​STAKEHOLDERS COMMENDED PANDEF FOR ORGANIZING THIS CONFERENCE BUT URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE IMPLEMENTED.

​SIGNED:

• ​DR. GODKNOWS BOLADEI IGALI (NATIONAL CHAIRMAN, PANDEF)

• REV. (MRS.) GRACE EKONG (NATIONAL WOMEN LEADER, PANDEF)