The Department of International Relations hosts public lecture on comparative gender politics

By Aisha Ibrahim and Fridaous Laleye

On January 21, Dr. Njoki Wamai from the International Relations Department hosted Dr. Adaugo Pamela Nwakanma for a public lecture. Dr Nwakanma, an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Irvine, and a Harvard Graduate gave an engaging and impactful lecture that left students elated. The event was attended by Dr. Agnes Behr, a Professor in the International Relations Department, her students taking Negotiation and Mediation course, and Dr. Wamai among other students and faculty members.

Dr. Nwakanma’s lecture, titled Gender and Political Behavior in Nigeria, was enlightening and inspiring, offering profound insights into the barriers and opportunities for women in Nigerian politics. She began by addressing the stark underrepresentation of women in Nigeria's legislative processes, noting that only 1% of women have vied for political office compared to 7% of men. This disparity, she explained, is rooted in financial constraints, restrictive political culture, and structural inequalities within Nigeria’s political system, which narrow women’s access to meaningful participation.

Drawing on her extensive research, Dr. Nwakanma highlighted how economic empowerment and political engagement which are supposed to be interconnected in other contexts, are not, for Nigerian women. She argued that “the costs of political participation are gendered and require a specific amount of economic and social resources” referencing the classic resource model of time, money, and civic skills. She shared how financial constraints, societal expectations, and entrenched political norms disproportionately burden women, limiting their ability to participate mainly in elections and other types of political processes. Her argument was supported by evidence from her work, which included a nationwide survey conducted in partnership with reliable survey firms using a two-stage random sampling design and pre-tested with 69 participants.

One striking comparison Dr. Nwakanma made was between the structure of market spaces in South Asia, dominated by men, and those in Nigeria, where women are more visible in economic spaces. However, she noted that this economic visibility has not translated into political empowerment, as systemic barriers continue undermining women’s ability to leverage their economic contributions into political influence. Her analysis of Nigerians’ perceptions of political engagement revealed how gender and social status shape people’s willingness and ability to participate politically.

Beyond the academic insights, Dr. Nwakanma’s lecture offered practical and empowering advice for students aspiring to top graduate univerisities like Harvard. She emphasized the importance of being purpose-driven, curious, and hardworking, encouraging students to explore big questions that could make a global impact. She advised applicants to carefully research how specific programs align with their academic and professional goals, highlighting the significance of commitment and intentionality in graduate applications.

Dr. Nwakanma’s passion for unlocking knowledge through multidisciplinary research inspired the students, prompting thoughtful reflections and critical questions during the Q&A session. Her ability to intertwine her rigorous research with practical wisdom demonstrated her dedication to empowering others and advancing inclusive political participation.

The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks from Dr. Wamai Njoki and Aisha Ibrahim, an Electoral College Representative from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, marking the session as a memorable and transformative experience for all attendees. Dr. Nwakanma’s lecture not only deepened the students’ understanding of gender and political behavior but also instilled in them a renewed sense of purpose and ambition.

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