Tinubu’s Appointment of Laniyi: A Strategic Signal for Women’s Policy in West Africa
The Report
As reported by BusinessDay, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Adedayo Laniyi as the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development (MBNCWD). The appointment, announced by Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, takes effect from the 18th of April, 2026, and is for an initial term of four years, in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 (1) and (3) of the National Centre for Women Development (Amendment) Act, 2023.
President Tinubu also approved the constitution of the Governing Council of the Centre, to be chaired by Joan Idonije. Other members include Lois Auta, Jamila Sarki, Aisha Baiyee, Jumoke Mathematics, and Anne Agom-Eze.
“George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, said the appointment takes effect from the 18th of April, 2026.”
WANA Regional Analysis
Against the backdrop of Nigeria’s ongoing struggle to translate gender parity rhetoric into institutional action, the appointment of Adedayo Laniyi to lead the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development carries significant weight. The Centre, established in 1992, has historically served as a symbolic pillar of women’s empowerment policy in Nigeria, but its operational impact has often been constrained by political appointments and funding gaps.
The broader implications for the ECOWAS region suggest that this appointment is not merely a domestic personnel change. Nigeria, as the regional hegemon, sets the tone for gender policy across West Africa. The choice of Laniyi—a figure with a background in grassroots mobilization and policy advocacy—signals a potential shift toward more programmatic, rather than ceremonial, leadership at the Centre. This is particularly relevant as ECOWAS member states grapple with implementing the Supplementary Act on Gender Equality and the Regional Gender Policy Framework.
However, the timing of the appointment—effective April 2026—raises questions about the administration’s urgency. With a two-year runway before Laniyi assumes office, the risk of policy inertia is real. The Governing Council, chaired by Joan Idonije and comprising figures like Lois Auta (a known disability rights advocate) and Jamila Sarki, suggests a deliberate attempt to bring diverse expertise to the table. Yet, the absence of a clear mandate or budget allocation in the announcement leaves the Centre’s operational capacity uncertain.
Historically, the MBNCWD has been a site of political patronage rather than transformative policy. For Laniyi to succeed, she will need to navigate the entrenched bureaucratic interests that have long stifled the Centre’s potential. The broader West African context—where women’s political participation remains below 30% in most parliaments—underscores the stakes. If this appointment translates into tangible programs for economic empowerment, legal reform, and political inclusion, it could serve as a model for similar institutions across the region. If not, it risks becoming another footnote in the long list of unfulfilled gender commitments.
Original Reporting By: BusinessDay