The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Lagos State Chapter, has urged Surulere 1 Federal Constituency representative Fuad Kayode Laguda to support legislation aimed at increasing women’s representation in Nigeria’s National Assembly.

The appeal was made during an advocacy visit to Laguda’s constituency office in Surulere, Lagos, where discussions also focused on youth empowerment, community development and potential collaboration between the association and the lawmaker.

NAWOJ’s request centres on the Reserved Seats for Women Bill (HB 1349), a legislative proposal intended to improve women’s participation in political decision-making.

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Why NAWOJ wants legislative support

Leading the delegation, NAWOJ Lagos Chairperson, Comrade Jumoke Falayi-Johnson, commended Laguda for his representation of the constituency and called for a partnership to advance initiatives targeting women, children, young people and underserved communities.

“We have closely followed Honourable Laguda’s impactful representation and commitment to bringing good governance to the people of Surulere,” Falayi-Johnson said.

She added: “We are eager to build a mutually rewarding partnership to drive positive socio-economic contributions, particularly for women, rural communities, children, and youths.”

The proposed reserved-seats legislation formed a key part of the discussions, with NAWOJ seeking the lawmaker’s active support for measures intended to address women’s underrepresentation in the legislature.

The proposed bill is part of a broader debate about how Nigeria can improve women’s access to elected office and ensure that their perspectives are better reflected in public policy.

Laguda signals willingness to collaborate

Responding to the delegation, Laguda welcomed the visit and praised NAWOJ’s contributions to national development through journalism, advocacy and social impact initiatives.

He also expressed readiness to work with the association to expand empowerment opportunities for women and young people in Surulere and beyond.

However, the statement issued by NAWOJ did not specify whether Laguda had formally committed to sponsoring, voting for or publicly campaigning for the Reserved Seats for Women Bill.

Any formal legislative commitment would clarify how the proposed partnership could translate into action on women’s political representation.

Youth empowerment and community initiatives

Beyond the proposed legislation, Laguda highlighted several initiatives linked to his legislative and constituency agenda.

He discussed efforts towards establishing a National Polytechnics Commission, although the statement did not provide further details about the proposal’s legislative status or implementation timeline.

The lawmaker was also reported to be running vocational training camps for young people in Surulere.

According to NAWOJ’s statement, he supports vulnerable groups through the Magdalene and Maravi Foundation, as well as the Patriotic Association of Surulere.

The association did not provide figures on the number of beneficiaries reached by these initiatives or the funding committed to them.

Such details would help residents assess the scale and impact of the programmes.

What happens next?

NAWOJ said the visit ended with both parties expressing a commitment to maintaining a working relationship focused on community development, youth capacity building and gender-inclusive governance.

The next step will be to establish how the proposed partnership will operate, including whether it will produce specific empowerment programmes or concrete legislative action on women’s reserved seats.

For women’s political representation, the key measure of progress will be whether advocacy translates into legislative support and practical steps towards broader participation in governance.

The Boy-Child Transformation Centre (BTC) has announced plans to host its fifth anniversary summit in Lagos, focusing on what it describes as a growing crisis affecting boys and young men.

The event, scheduled for 16 May 2026 in Ikoyi, will bring together business leaders, policymakers, educators, parents, and mental health advocates to discuss challenges facing the boy-child in Nigeria.

Organisers say the summit aims to shift attention towards what they call the “systemic decline” of boys and its wider implications for families, communities, and leadership.

Why it matters

Concerns about youth development in Nigeria have often focused on girls’ education and empowerment, leaving some advocates arguing that boys are increasingly overlooked.

BTC says this gap has contributed to issues such as poor emotional development, risky behaviour, and limited access to mentorship for boys.

At the centre of the summit is the launch of UNBOXED: Shaping the Boy-Child for True Manhood, a new book by BTC founder Nkiruka Moghalu-Joel.

‘A silent crisis’ — Founder speaks

Nkiruka Moghalu-Joel, who is also the Managing Director of Avenu Growth Consulting Group, says society has long assumed boys will navigate challenges without structured support.

“For too long, the world has operated on a dangerous default: assuming the boy-child will simply figure it out on his own. He is not figuring it out; he is quietly collapsing in plain sight,” she said.

She argues that limiting emotional expression in boys can have long-term consequences.

“When we deny our boys emotional literacy, we are not just failing our sons, we are destabilizing our homes, fracturing our communities, and eroding our future leadership.”

The book introduces what she calls the “MACHO Box” — a set of social expectations that discourage vulnerability and emotional intelligence.

“UNBOXED is our playbook for intervention. We are actively dismantling these toxic labels to engineer a generation of boys equipped with cognitive empathy, ethical grit, and the freedom to be fully human.”

What to expect at the summit

The summit will feature the official unveiling of UNBOXED, alongside discussions linking behavioural psychology, parenting, and leadership development.

Another highlight is the final stage of the Walk-in-My-Shoes (WIMS) challenge, where young participants will present ideas aimed at addressing social pressures affecting boys.

The competition carries a ₦1,000,000 prize, with organisers describing it as a platform for “peer-led solutions”.

Broader perspectives

Experts in child development have increasingly emphasised the need for balanced gender-focused interventions.

While initiatives supporting girls remain critical, some argue that neglecting boys’ emotional and social development could create long-term societal challenges.

In Nigeria, issues such as youth unemployment, crime, and mental health concerns have been linked to broader gaps in youth support systems.

What’s next

BTC says the summit is intended to spark long-term policy conversations and practical interventions around boy-child development.

Organisers also hope the UNBOXED framework will be adopted by schools, parents, and institutions as a guide for raising emotionally resilient boys.

Sola Salako-Ajulo, widely known as “Consumer Mama,” has been named the Iconic Woman of the Month for March 2026 by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Lagos Chapter.

The recognition honours her more than two decades of advocacy for consumer rights in Nigeria, highlighting her role in shaping policies, raising awareness, and empowering citizens to understand and enforce their rights.

Championing Consumer Rights for Over 20 Years

Mrs. Salako-Ajulo began her journey in 2003 with the influential column Handwriting on the Wall, which quickly became a trusted voice for Nigerian consumers. Over the years, her work has evolved from journalism into large-scale activism.

She founded the Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CAFON), where she spearheaded landmark campaigns including the #NoBankingDay Protest in 2016, which challenged excessive bank charges and reshaped consumer protections in the Nigerian financial sector.

She is also the author of Protect Yourself: Your Naija Guide To Consumer Right And Protection, a handbook designed to make complex regulations accessible to everyday Nigerians.

Recently, she launched the CAFON Consumers Companion (3C), an AI-powered platform providing Nigerians with 24/7 digital guidance on their consumer rights.

“Sola Salako-Ajulo is a force for justice in the marketplace,” said Jumoke Johnson, Chairperson of NAWOJ Lagos.

“Where consumers face exploitation, she provides the education and tools for redress. Her life’s work proves the power of a single, determined voice to create national change.”

Recognition and Industry Praise

Her peers have consistently acknowledged her contributions:

Marketing Journalist of the Year, Nigeria Marketing Awards (2023–2025)

Brand Journalist of the Year, ADVAN African Awards (2025)

The NAWOJ Lagos Chairperson emphasised that Mrs. Salako-Ajulo’s work exemplifies the transformative impact of women in media and civil society.

Why It Matters

Consumer rights in Nigeria remain a critical area for economic fairness. Advocacy initiatives like those led by Mrs. Salako-Ajulo help protect citizens from exploitation while promoting transparency in business and finance. Her work also demonstrates how journalism can evolve into activism with measurable societal impact.

What’s Next

NAWOJ Lagos plans to continue celebrating women leaders who drive social change. Mrs. Salako-Ajulo’s recognition is part of a broader effort to inspire future generations of female advocates across Nigeria.