The Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti, will no longer be part of the Nigeria’s official delegation to the 2026 session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations in New York.
The removal of the Senator’s name by the Nigeria Senate from the delegate that would attend the conference has sparked controversy.
The conference, which will began on March 9, brings together government officials, activists, and policymakers from around the world to discuss women’s rights and gender equality.
It will be recalled that Senator Ireti Heebah Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory and chairs the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, had previously stated that she would not attend the event if Akpoti-Uduaghan was excluded.
Only two senators were officially nominated to attend: Kingibe and Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire.
Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represented FCT in the National Assembly said that the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs had not finalized the full list of delegates or completed travel and accommodation arrangements.
Meanwhile, Reports suggest that Akpoti-Uduaghan may have initially been considered for the delegation.
A WhatsApp message reportedly requested her international passport data page for registration, which was provided shortly afterward.
This has raised questions about why she was ultimately removed from the official list.
The move has drawn criticism, especially given the limited number of female senators in Nigeria and the focus of the conference on women’s issues.Nigerian political news
Senator Natasha has expressed disappointment over the exclusion.