In Nigeria, the story of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has ignited intense debate about the country’s deeply flawed political system and the relentless challenges women face in power. As the senator representing Kogi Central, Akpoti’s journey—from her advocacy for industrial revitalization to her controversial suspension from the Senate—exposes systemic barriers designed to stifle women in leadership. Her ordeal raises a troubling question: If a woman in power isn’t safe, what does that mean for the average Nigerian woman?
Who is Natasha Akpoti?
Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan, born on December 9, 1979, is a Nigerian barrister, politician, and entrepreneur. With a law degree from the University of Abuja, she was called to the bar in 2005. Before politics, she was a vocal advocate for reviving the Ajaokuta Steel Mill, a long-abandoned industrial project that she saw as critical to Nigeria’s economic development.
Her political career gained traction in 2019 when she contested the Kogi State governorship under the Social Democratic Party (SDP), though she did not win. Later, she aligned with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and secured a Senate seat in the 10th National Assembly after a prolonged legal battle, with the Court of Appeal affirming her victory in 2023.
Yet, her tenure in the Senate has been anything but smooth. In February 2025, Akpoti accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment during an Arise TV interview, following a dispute over Senate seating arrangements. Her formal petition was dismissed on procedural grounds, and she was suspended for six months—an act many see as political retribution. This decision triggered nationwide outrage and intensified discussions about the hostile environment for women in Nigerian politics.
Nigeria’s Political System: A Hostile Landscape for Women
Akpoti’s ordeal is not an isolated case but a symptom of a system that systematically sidelines women. Nigeria ranks 178th in global female political representation, a stark reflection of its failure to foster gender inclusivity. Despite a 2022 Federal High Court ruling mandating 35% affirmative action for women in politics and governance, implementation has been sluggish. Cultural biases, economic barriers, and political gatekeeping continue to obstruct progress.
The Akpoti-Akpabio clash epitomizes the gender-based intimidation that plagues Nigerian politics. Akpabio’s July 2024 comment likening Akpoti’s conduct to “nightclub behavior” was widely condemned as misogynistic, yet such rhetoric remains normalized. As Akpoti herself noted at an ECOWAS Female Parliament Association event, “Politics is extremely dangerous in Nigeria. You can’t be gentle as a woman.”
Beyond verbal attacks, Nigerian women in politics face structural challenges: exorbitant campaign costs, electoral violence, and entrenched male dominance. The political system not only discourages women from participating but actively punishes those who challenge the status quo.
If a Woman in Power Isn’t Safe, What About the Average Nigerian Woman?
Akpoti’s experience mirrors the everyday struggles of Nigerian women—harassment, silencing, and systemic exclusion. If a senator with legal expertise, political influence, and public backing can be harassed and suspended, it underscores the broader vulnerability of women nationwide.
This culture of impunity extends beyond politics. Nigerian women face alarming rates of domestic violence, sexual assault, and economic marginalization, compounded by weak legal protections and poor enforcement of laws like the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act. The same patriarchal attitudes that allowed Akpoti’s suspension to proceed without consequence also endanger millions of women outside political office.
However, there is a distinction: women in power like Akpoti face public scrutiny and targeted attacks, while everyday women battle more localized but equally insidious threats. Still, both struggles stem from the same root causes—deep-seated patriarchy and systemic inequality. Until these are addressed, neither women in power nor the average Nigerian woman can claim true safety or equality.
The Path Forward: Breaking the Cycle
Akpoti’s suspension is more than a political maneuver—it’s a chilling reminder of how Nigerian institutions silence women instead of protecting them. Advocacy groups like Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW) have decried it as part of a broader pattern of gender-based intimidation.
To dismantle this cycle, Nigeria must take decisive steps. Enforcing the 35% affirmative action policy through legislation is crucial. Countries like Rwanda, where women hold 64% of parliamentary seats due to constitutional quotas, prove that proactive policies work.
Beyond policy, cultural transformation is essential. Male leaders must be held accountable for misogynistic behavior, and political spaces must be made safer for women. As Akpoti has urged, men in power should “support and encourage women in their political endeavors” rather than obstruct them. Legal reforms, alongside a shift in societal attitudes, are key to ensuring that women can lead without fear.
Senator Natasha Akpoti’s story is more than a personal battle—it’s a stark reflection of Nigeria’s broken political system. Her experiences expose the entrenched discrimination that silences women’s voices and threatens their safety, both in power and beyond.
The question of whether the average Nigerian woman is safe if a woman in power isn’t demands a sobering response: not yet. Until Nigeria dismantles the patriarchal structures that enable this culture of suppression, women—regardless of their status—will continue to navigate a landscape of intimidation and inequality. Akpoti’s ordeal is not just a symbol of a broken system; it is a clarion call for urgent change.
