Natasha Akpoti says Nigerian women’s stories must be documented
Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, says the future of women’s leadership in Nigeria depends on how deliberately their stories are documented.
Akpoti-Uduaghan spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the WikiGap Nigeria symposium 2026.
The senator also pledged a monthly donation of N1 million to support a writing competition aimed at digitally preserving the stories of notable Nigerian women.
Akpoti-Uduaghan said the marginalisation of women in knowledge systems contributes to their exclusion from power structures.
“When women are invisible in knowledge, they are excluded from power,” she said.
“That is why WikiGap is not just a project… it is a movement to correct historical silence.”
She said many Nigerian women leaders and innovators remain largely undocumented despite their contributions.
“Across Nigeria, women are leading, innovating, and transforming communities,” she added.
“Yet too many of their stories remain undocumented, their contributions unrecognised, and their impact undervalued.
“What is not recorded is often forgotten… and what is forgotten is rarely rewarded.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan said initiatives like WikiGap go beyond filling informational gaps.
“By creating and improving articles about notable Nigerian women, WikiGap is doing more than filling gaps in content,” she said.
“It is advancing rights, strengthening justice, and expanding opportunity. Because visibility is power.
“When women are seen, they are heard. When they are heard, they are supported. And when they are supported, they succeed.”
She said her experience in politics reflects the structural and cultural barriers faced by women.
“Our stories matter, our struggles matter, and our victories must not go undocumented,” the lawmaker said.
“The future of women in leadership depends on how well we preserve and amplify these narratives today.”
The senator urged journalists and content creators to document women’s stories.
“I encourage journalists and authors to keep writing about women, write our journeys, our achievements, and even our challenges because that is how we inspire generations yet unborn,” she said.
