Jami’yar Matan Arewa Reaffirms Support for AMEF’s Women for 35% Initiative and the 74 Reserved Seats for Women Bill
In a powerful show of unity and purpose, the AJU Morgan Elumelu Foundation (AMEF) strengthened its partnership with one of Nigeria’s most storied women’s organisations: Jami’yar Matan Arewa (JMA) on Tuesday, 25th November, during an engagement that underscored a shared vision for women’s political empowerment across the nation.
Representing the Foundation was Victoria Jadu, who attended the JMA event to convey AMEF’s appreciation for the organisation’s presence at the official launch of the Women for 35% Initiative held earlier in Abuja on May 22, 2025.
JMA Celebrates AMEF’s Commitment to Women’s Leadership
During the event, JMA acknowledged Victoria Jadu warmly, speaking highly of her visit and reaffirming the organisation’s respect for the Foundation’s bold leadership in championing women in governance. Their message was unmistakable: Northern women stand firmly behind AMEF’s cause.
For decades, JMA has been a guardian of women’s social advancement in Northern Nigeria, advocating for education, leadership, and expanded civic participation. Their endorsement is not just symbolic; it is a powerful cultural and political signal that the Women for 35% movement has national resonance that cuts across regions and generations.
A Shared Mission: 35% Representation and the Push for 74 Reserved Seats
JMA also expressed full support for AMEF’s agenda, including:
Achieving a minimum of 35% representation of women in elective and appointive political positions nationwide.
Backing the 74 Reserved Seats for Women Bill, a landmark legislative proposal designed to create 74 additional seats in Nigeria’s National Assembly exclusively for women, a structural solution aimed at correcting the chronic underrepresentation of women in federal lawmaking.
In a political landscape where women currently occupy less than 5% of parliamentary seats, the Bill represents one of the most ambitious gender-inclusion reforms in Nigeria’s democratic history. By aligning with AMEF on this issue, JMA adds powerful moral weight and grassroots legitimacy to the national advocacy effort.
Victoria Jadu’s Remarks: A Call for Lasting Partnership
Speaking at the event, Victoria Jadu expressed deep gratitude to JMA for attending the Women for 35% launch and for their ongoing support. She emphasized the necessity of partnerships rooted in trust, cultural grounding, and shared values, qualities that Jami’yar Matan Arewa has embodied for generations.
She reiterated AMEF’s belief that lasting change emerges when traditional institutions, civic organisations, and reform-minded foundations work together to expand opportunities for women in leadership.
“And we’re just getting started,” she noted, signaling AMEF’s continued commitment to driving policy reform, political mentorship, and community-level mobilisation for Nigerian women.
Why This Collaboration Matters
This renewed alliance between AMEF and JMA comes at a crucial moment, as Nigeria moves toward strengthening democratic institutions and reshaping political participation to reflect the diversity of its population.
Key impacts of this partnership include:
– Nationwide grassroots mobilisation through JMA’s vast network.
– Expanded legitimacy for gender-inclusion advocacy, especially in conservative and hard-to-reach communities.
– Shared leadership resources, with AMEF providing political mentorship pathways while JMA amplifies community outreach.
– Integrated support for the Reserved Seats Bill, ensuring the conversation reaches federal, state, and community arenas.
– Together, the organisations are forging a pathway that honours both tradition and progress, a balance that resonates deeply with citizens across Northern Nigeria and beyond.
Looking Ahead
AMEF’s Women for 35% Initiative continues to gain national momentum, and the Foundation is actively building alliances with civic groups, political stakeholders, and women’s organisations committed to reshaping Nigeria’s political future.
With the steadfast support of Jami’yar Matan Arewa, the movement accelerates toward a more inclusive and representative Nigeria, one where women’s leadership isn’t the exception, but the expectation.
