From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
As Nigeria gears up for the 2027 elections, stakeholders have emphasised that addressing exclusion and building truly inclusive political processes are vital to preventing unrest and advancing national development.
Experts and civil society leaders at the 2nd Annual Otivism Lecture in Abuja celebrating pro-democracy activist Otive Igbuzor’s 62nd birthday, sounded urgent warnings over the exclusion of women, youths, and people living with disabilities from political participation, highlighting potential risks of social unrest and instability if inclusivity is not prioritized.
Senior lecturer in Political Science and International Relations at Nile University, Stephen Izu, hammered on the need for rapid legal and political reforms to boost representation. He noted the progress made in youth inclusion and called for similar gains for women.
He explained, “Women suffer exclusion through the sexist political culture, financial constraints, violence and intimidation, cultural and religious norms, limited access to education and economic opportunities, and media representation and misrepresentation.”
He warned, “Inclusive governance faces precarious conditions marked by limited participation of marginalized groups, particularly women, youths, and people with disabilities, in economic, social and mainly political processes. This exclusion hinders effective representation and decision-making, potentially leading to social and political instability…The absence of inclusivity… has had dismal consequences on the Nigerian state.”
He noted, “The skewed party practices and weak policy enforcement continue to marginalize critical voices, especially women and youth, in our governance structures.”
Izu also highlighted the ideological foundation of Otivism, which insists on integrating inclusivity across all societal spheres to ensure equity and justice for all, stating, “Otivism… is anchored on force and truth, openness and fairness, compassion and collaboration for the betterment of society.”
Echoing calls for broader political engagement, Igbuzor urged citizens, especially professionals and religious leaders, to actively participate in politics rather than cede governance to unqualified actors. “If the vast majority of God-fearing people, religious, and professionals shy away from active participation in politics due to the notion that it is a dirty game, they stand the risk of leaving the terrain to charlatans,” he warned.
He stressed that “free, fair, credible and violence-free elections” remain critical to achieving inclusive governance, enabling women, youth, and persons living with disabilities to have meaningful political representation. He specified three pillars for inclusion: credible elections, deliberate inclusion policies such as quotas, and participatory democracy within political parties and communities.
“The end result will be accelerated development and progress of entire society,” he said, underscoring the importance of raising awareness about politics’ central role in determining societal outcomes such as education, media, housing, and food security.
Speaking on the theme “Ideology and the Quest for Inclusive Governance in Nigeria,” Igbuzor stressed the critical role of ideology in shaping transformative leadership and governance.
He stated, “Without a clear ideological compass, leadership becomes rudderless, policies become inconsistent, and governance becomes reactive rather than transformative.”
He courageously affirmed his socialist ideological stance, underscoring its relevance to Nigeria’s political future: “My conviction has always been that Nigeria must deliberately adopt and practice an ideology of inclusion—one that ensures that women, youth, persons with disabilities, minority groups, and the poor are not left behind.”
Reflecting on his life at 62, Igbuzor highlighted the importance of legacy over titles, saying, “My most important consideration in life is to leave behind a legacy—of service to God and humanity, consistent advocacy for justice and equity, and belief in the power of ideas to change societies.”
He underlined his commitment to institutional building and community development, noting his involvement in initiatives such as the Ejiro & Otive Igbuzor Foundation and the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD).
In his gratitude, he thanked his family, friends, colleagues, and all those who champion the cause of a better Nigeria. “As I celebrate 62 years of life, I renew my commitment to continue to speak truth to power, to mentor the next generation, and to work tirelessly until inclusive governance becomes the norm in Nigeria and not the exception,” he declared.
Executive Director of the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Center in Africa (PAACA), Ezenwa Nwagwu described the struggle for inclusive governance as a long journey, noting important victories like the “Not Too Young to Run” bill. He observed, “Every centimeter of progress… we need to beat our chest and say we’ve done well,” pointing out ongoing momentum for reserved seats for women to enhance political representation.
Senator of Delta Central Construency, Ede Dafinone praised Igbuzor for his integrity and unwavering commitment to good governance.
Speaking through his Project Manager, Eric Esievo, Dafinone lauded Igbuzor as a model of honesty in public service, emphasising the importance of selecting the right leaders to navigate Nigeria towards progress, acknowledging the challenges the country faces but expressing hope for change through individuals like Igbuzor who lead by example.
He highlighted his respect for Igbuzor’s principled approach to leadership and wished him a happy birthday and expressed admiration for his dedication to advancing good governance through ethical leadership.
Earlier, former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Productivity and Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Timiebi Koripamo-Agary, lauded Igbuzor’s relentless dedication to justice and inclusion.
She recalled their first meeting in 1999 and commended his persistent energy and vision, saying, “He has a way of pulling you into his vision until you find yourself part of it.”
She emphasised Igbuzor’s courageous advocacy for the marginalized, observing, “His courage to speak truth to power and his relentless advocacy for the poor, the powerless, the vulnerable, the voiceless, and of course, women, has remained a constant in all his roles.”
Describing the newly presented book as “his life’s journey poured onto the page—a testimony of consistency, of persistence, and of hope for a more just society,” she praised how he turns even a birthday celebration into a call for action.
Koripamo-Agary, concluded, “As we sing ‘Happy Birthday,’ let us also celebrate the remarkable values he embodies—values of inclusion, justice, and service. May this new year bring him strength, joy, and perhaps just a little rest—though knowing him, rest may not be on his agenda!”
Otivism is the ideological framework and movement inspired by the lifelong work and vision of Otive Igbuzor, a distinguished Nigerian pharmacist, human rights activist, policy analyst, and development expert. Rooted in his conviction for transforming society, Otivism advocates for inclusive governance, equitable development, and justice in Nigeria and across Africa.
The Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), has dedicated decades to activism and public service, drawing influence from both Marxism and Christianity to formulate a practical ideology focused on inclusion and social transformation.
He articulates Otivism as a philosophy that insists Nigeria adopts deliberate policies to involve women, youth, persons with disabilities, minority groups, and the poor in governance and nation-building.
