The fusion of art and governance took an innovative turn with the “Art for Governance” exhibition, a creative advocacy initiative promoting gender inclusion in leadership. At the heart of this groundbreaking effort is the push for the Constitution (Alteration) Bill, 2024, which seeks to allocate reserved seats for women in Nigeria’s National and State Assemblies.
Speaking through his Special Assistant on Youth and Women Affairs, Joy Akut, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, emphasized that governance extends beyond policies and legal frameworks. He highlighted the need for cultural shifts, societal engagement, and emotional connections, all of which art powerfully facilitates.
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With support from key organizations such as ElectHER, the Advocacy for Civic Engagement Centre (ACE Centre), and the National Assembly Library Trust Fund (NALTF), the exhibition, held on March 3rd, showcased how art can be a catalyst for legislative transformation.
Themed “Echoes of Equity,” the event featured a competition where young artists used their creativity to advocate for women’s inclusion in governance. Out of 150 entries, three outstanding artists were rewarded for their compelling works.
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Segun Owolabi’s “Threads of Legacy” clinched the first prize, paying tribute to pioneering women like Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Margaret Ekpo, whose contributions to governance and activism are often overlooked. Second place went to Chidinma Mordi’s “Side by Side,” a powerful visual representation of gender balance in leadership. The third-place winner, Precious Samuel, presented “Reimagined: The Future in Print,” a futuristic depiction of a society where women’s leadership is fully recognized.
