As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, concerns about women’s participation and representation in politics continue to draw attention.
Adeola Azeez, a former corporate executive and co-founder of Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), says Nigeria’s political structure remains a major obstacle to women seeking elective offices.
In an interview with Vanguard, Azeez discussed her experience contesting for the House of Representatives, the difficulties of securing party tickets and the barriers facing female politicians. She also explained why she intends to contest again in 2027.
Azeez, who is the daughter of late Afenifere leader Pa Ayo Adebanjo, is a founding member of Women in Politics (WIMPol). She was also a former Deputy Country Representative in Nigeria for Deutsch e-Bank.
She was recently declared the winner of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) primary for Ijebu Central Federal Constituency in Ogun State, according to the interview.
Why Adeola Azeez moved from corporate life into politics
Azeez said her interest in politics began long before her retirement from the corporate sector in 2020.
According to her, she had considered a political career since 2013 and spent years preparing for the transition. She eventually contested for the House of Representatives in 2023, seeking to represent Ogbomoso Central Federal Constituency.
She said she approached the election with the same preparation, commitment and determination that had shaped her corporate career.
Party structure remains a major obstacle for women
Although Azeez said funding was not a significant challenge during her political journey, she identified Nigeria’s party structure as the biggest obstacle.
Her corporate experience and professional relationships helped her build a network of sponsors and supporters. However, she said those advantages were not enough to secure a party ticket in 2023.
Azeez explained that political opportunities are often controlled by individuals within party structures. She had expected her experience, public contributions and groundwork in the constituency to strengthen her chances, but she did not emerge with the ticket.
She said she wanted to demonstrate that women with professional experience, credibility and leadership ability could succeed in Nigerian politics and encourage more women to participate.
Azeez rejects money politics
The former corporate executive also said she was unwilling to buy votes or engage in money politics to advance her ambition.
She maintained that her campaign should be built around her record, ideas, engagement with voters and the support she had earned.
Azeez said compromising her principles would have disappointed her family and supporters. However, she acknowledged that running a campaign based on those values did not remove the difficulties created by the party structure.
She argued that women should be able to participate in politics without being pressured to abandon their values to gain acceptance.
Lessons from her 2023 political experience
Despite failing to secure a party ticket in 2023, Azeez said the experience taught her the importance of persistence and sustained engagement with voters.
She noted that the campaign increased her visibility in the constituency and helped residents understand her ambitions and approach to leadership.
For her, political participation should not depend entirely on winning elections or holding public office. She believes aspiring leaders must continue contributing to their communities even when they are outside government.
Adeola Azeez plans another contest in 2027
Azeez disclosed that she is preparing to contest again in the 2027 general elections, this time under a different political party.
She said her previous experience had strengthened her determination and helped her establish relationships with people in the constituency.
Beyond her electoral ambition, she also highlighted community projects she had supported. These include facilitating the establishment of a technology hub and supporting a back-to-school initiative during 2026, with funding assistance from her partners.
She described leadership as a responsibility that goes beyond occupying an elected position, adding that people can contribute to community development regardless of their political status.
Elected women urged to support aspiring female politicians
Azeez also called on women who have secured elective positions to use their influence to create opportunities for others.
She said female lawmakers should remember the challenges they encountered while seeking political office and help aspiring women navigate the political process.
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According to her, women’s representation should not focus solely on individual achievements. It should also create pathways for more women to participate in leadership.
She added that women with experience, resources and influence should build stronger support networks for those preparing to contest elections.
Call for political reforms to improve women’s representation
Azeez believes political parties must move beyond encouraging women to participate and address the structural barriers that prevent them from securing tickets and winning elections.
She called for better access to political opportunities, stronger networks and a system that recognises women’s ability to lead.
Her message to women discouraged by the challenges of Nigerian politics was to remain committed and continue organising, supporting one another and challenging the barriers to representation.
She said the growing number of women interested in politics shows that there is potential for greater participation, but sustained collective effort is needed to translate that interest into meaningful representation.
