ABUJA, Nigeria — The Nigerian Senate has removed Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from the country's official delegation to the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York, replacing her with a male lawmaker for a conference focused on gender equality and women's rights.
The decision has sparked controversy at the National Assembly. The UN conference began on Monday and runs through March 19 at the UN headquarters. The event brings together government officials and policymakers from member states to discuss policies affecting women and girls worldwide .
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, said she was excluded from the list despite earlier indications that she would join the delegation. The lawmaker told the Senate Committee on Appropriations on February 25 that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs had invited her to participate and requested her international passport data page, which she submitted within hours .
Officials later informed her that she would not be part of the trip, citing late submission of her passport details .
Senator Ireti Kingibe, who chairs the Senate Committee on Women Affairs and represents the Federal Capital Territory, initially opposed Akpoti-Uduaghan's exclusion. During a Senate budget session, Kingibe reportedly warned that she would boycott the conference if her colleague was left out .
"If Senator Natasha Akpoti is not going to attend the programme, it means I am not going to attend too," Kingibe was quoted as saying .
Despite that statement, the situation changed. In a letter dated March 5 addressed to Akpoti-Uduaghan, Kingibe explained that only two senators had been officially nominated and registered for the CSW meeting by the Senate leadership .
"For the sake of clarity, I can confirm that at this stage, only two members of the Senate have been officially nominated by the Senate President and have confirmed registration: myself, in my capacity as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, and Senator Adegbonmire Adeniyi Ayodele, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters," the letter stated .
Kingibe noted that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs had not yet finalized the broader list of delegates or concluded travel arrangements for the Nigerian team .
Documents circulating online suggest Akpoti-Uduaghan was initially considered for the trip. A WhatsApp message allegedly sent by an aide linked to Kingibe requested the Kogi Central senator's international passport data page for the CSW program. An image of the passport page was reportedly forwarded in response .
Kingibe advised Akpoti-Uduaghan that she could still attend the conference independently if she already has a valid United States visa. She noted that access to the UN complex would depend on formal accreditation handled by the Ministry of Women Affairs .
Nigeria currently has only four female senators in the National Assembly. They include Kingibe, Akpoti-Uduaghan, Idiat Adebule representing Lagos West, and Ipalibo Banigo representing Rivers West .
The decision to send a male lawmaker to a women-focused conference has raised questions about Nigeria's commitment to gender representation. Critics argue that sending a male senator to represent the country at a forum dedicated to women's issues does not reflect strong support for women's participation in politics .
An unnamed staff member of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs claimed the leadership removed Akpoti-Uduaghan due to fears she might raise controversial issues during the event that could damage Nigeria's image. The Kogi senator has reportedly been at odds with the Senate leadership since she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment .
The Court of Appeal in Abuja recently ruled that the Senate had the authority to suspend Akpoti-Uduaghan over allegations of misconduct, though it nullified a fine imposed against her .
Akpoti-Uduaghan previously self-sponsored her participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting in New York last year following her suspension from some legislative duties. It remains unclear whether she will attend the current UN women's conference independently .
Attempts to reach Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu for comment were unsuccessful. His phone was unreachable at the time of this report .