Advancing Women’s Leadership in Nigeria’s Judiciary
In a three-day workshop held at the National Judicial Institute in Abuja, Nigeria, in February 2025, women judges, justice-sector stakeholders, andrepresentatives from the National Association of Women Judges – Nigeria (NAWJN) and the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) gathered to determine how to best promote sustainable leadership pathways for women in Nigeria’s judiciary. Organized by Women in Leadership in Law (WILIL) representatives from IAWJ and NAWJN, the objective of the convening was to identify barriers to women's advancement in the judiciary, propose actionable solutions, and foster collaboration between women judges and key justice-sector stakeholders to implement systemic changes.
Unpacking the Barriers
The challenges women face in Nigeria’s judiciary are deeply embedded in cultural, legal, and institutional frameworks. One major issue discussed was the discrimination faced by women who relocate to their husband’s state upon marriage. Despite years of judicial service in their home states, these women often find themselves denied promotion to leadership roles in their new (husband’s) state due to being considered “non-indigenes.”
Another pervasive obstacle is the lack of systemic support for women of childbearing and child-rearing age. Judicial work often involves long hours and transfers, yet few provisions exist—such as crèches or flexible work hours—to support women during these crucial life stages. This results in talented female lawyers delaying appointments or opting out altogether, missing opportunities to build seniority, a key criterion for being appointed to leadership positions in the judiciary.
Participants also highlighted political and procedural disparities in judicial appointments, including opaque recruitment methods and reliance on male-dominated networks for endorsements. These practices not only discourage women from applying but also entrench the gender imbalance.
Sexual harassment, limited mentoring opportunities, and deeply ingrained socio-cultural norms were also noted as critical barriers to women’s progress.
Devising Actionable Solutions
Despite these stark realities, the workshop was not solely about identifying barriers—it was a call to action. Several promising solutions and commitments emerged from the deliberations.
The Chief Judge of Jigawa State—where cultural norms have long hindered women’s participation—pledged to ensure more women are appointed in the next judicial recruitment cycle. Similarly, the Chief Judge of Anambra State acknowledged the declining representation of women and committed to reversing the trend.
The National Judicial Council (NJC) was commended for standing firm against discriminatory practices favoring “indigeneity,” particularly in cases involving married women seeking to obtain appointments or promotions on the bench in a state she relocated to upon marriage. However, participants agreed that these positive precedents must be codified. A written policy allowing married women the flexibility to adopt either their natal or marital state for official purposes was strongly recommended.
To push for broader systemic change, the participants also advocated for a national policy mandating at least 35% female representation in judicial appointments. This gender quota would help ensure that more women are entering into the judiciary and subsequently have equitable access to leadership positions, which are often based on seniority, across all states.
A Turning Point
Through the WILIL initiative, NAWJN and IAWJ are taking these efforts further by engaging stakeholders at both state and national levels. Targeted workshops, letters, and high-level meetings are planned to keep the momentum going. 
This workshop marked a turning point in Nigeria’s journey toward gender equity in the judiciary. For women judges who have been systemically excluded, the workshop validated their experiences and outlined institutional changes that will enable women judges to advance within the judiciary. Achieving gender equity in the judiciary will take sustained advocacy, clear policy reforms, and cultural shifts. With the groundwork laid by NAWJN and IAWJ through the WILIL initiative, efforts will continue over the coming years to drive meaningful institutional reforms that foster an environment where women judges can enter, rise, and thrive within the Nigerian judiciary.