President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of renowned women advocate and public administrator, Ms. Adedayo Benjamin-Laniyi, as the new Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, in a move widely seen as a strategic step toward strengthening women empowerment and inclusive national development in Nigeria.
The appointment, which takes effect from April 18, 2026, was announced in a statement issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and signed by the Head of Information and Public Relations, Chris Ugwuegbulam.
According to the statement, the appointment was conveyed in a letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and issued by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana.
The statement noted that the appointment is in line with the provisions of Section 7 (1) and (3) of the National Centre for Women Development (Amendment) Act, 2023, and will run for an initial term of four years.
Beyond the appointment of Benjamin-Laniyi as Director-General, President Tinubu also approved the constitution of the Governing Council of the Centre, with Princess Joan Jummai Idonije appointed as Chairman.
Other members of the Governing Council include Lois Auta, Hon. Jamila Sarki, Aisha Baiyee, Hon. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, and Hon. Princess Anne Agom-Eze.
The inclusion of Lois Auta on the Governing Council has particularly attracted commendation from disability rights advocates and inclusion stakeholders across the country, who described the appointment as a significant milestone in advancing disability-inclusive governance and women leadership in Nigeria.
Lois Auta, a respected disability inclusion advocate and founder of the Network of Women with Disabilities, has over the years championed the rights of women and girls with disabilities, pushing for equal representation, accessibility, economic empowerment and social inclusion.
Her appointment is being celebrated as a strong signal that the current administration is beginning to recognize the importance of including women with disabilities in leadership and policy-making spaces, especially in institutions directly connected to women development and empowerment.
Observers believe that having a woman with disability on the board of the Centre could help amplify conversations around inclusive policies, accessible programs and equitable opportunities for marginalized women across Nigeria.
Many advocates also noted that the appointment aligns with the principles of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and the Disability Act, which seek greater representation of Persons With Disabilities in governance and national development processes.
Ms. Adedayo Benjamin-Laniyi, who previously served as Mandate Secretary of the Women Affairs Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, is widely recognized for her passionate commitment to women empowerment, grassroots mobilization, social development and inclusive leadership.
During her time in the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, she championed several initiatives targeted at empowering vulnerable women, promoting family welfare and enhancing social inclusion, including commitments toward improving participation of women with disabilities in government programs.
Her appointment as DG of the Centre is therefore being viewed by many stakeholders as a continuation of her advocacy-driven leadership style and dedication to inclusive development.
Political analysts and women groups have described the newly constituted Governing Council as a blend of experience, advocacy and public service, expressing optimism that the Centre under the new leadership would strengthen its role as a major institution for advancing women development, economic empowerment and gender equality in Nigeria.
President Tinubu, while congratulating the Director-General and members of the Governing Council, wished them success in their new responsibilities and expressed confidence in their ability to reposition the Centre for greater national impact.
The Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development remains one of Nigeria’s foremost institutions dedicated to promoting the advancement, welfare and empowerment of women through training, research, advocacy and capacity development initiatives.
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