Chioma Rosemary Onyekaba Joins Aisha Yesufu and Other Influential Voices Live on Click Naija’s Unite Naija Podcast

Studio 5 at Radio House in Abuja came alive with bold ideas and urgent conversations as Click Naija Online Channel hosted a compelling edition of Unite Naija: The Podcast, bringing together some of Nigeria’s most influential civic voices to interrogate the future of political inclusion in the country.

Themed 2027 Elections in View: Women and Youth Participation in Nigerian Politics, A Work in Progress or a Far Cry?, the discussion examined whether Nigeria has genuinely advanced beyond symbolic inclusion to meaningful representation of women and young people in governance.

Among the distinguished panelists was Aisha Yesufu, widely recognized as a co convener of the #BringBackOurGirls movement. Joining her was Chioma Rosemary Onyekaba, multibrand CEO of B.B.F Printing Press and a Future Awards Africa 2025 nominee. Also featured were Esther Agbarakwe, climate advocate and policy influencer, Aisha Salaudeen, journalist and gender equality advocate, alongside other respected voices shaping Nigeria’s civic and political landscape.

The conversation was both reflective and forward looking. Speakers challenged long standing systemic barriers that have limited women and youth participation in politics, despite decades of dialogue around inclusion. The panel questioned whether representation has translated into structural influence or remains largely rhetorical.

Aisha Yesufu delivered her characteristic forthright advocacy, stressing that democracy loses credibility when decision making spaces exclude significant segments of the population. She maintained that equitable representation is not optional in a functioning democracy and warned that complacency sustains inequality.

Chioma Rosemary Onyekaba added a strong entrepreneurial perspective to the discourse, emphasizing the intersection between economic empowerment and political confidence. She argued that political readiness is nurtured through mentorship, access to opportunity, and the deliberate cultivation of leadership capacity among women and youth.

In her words:

“Nigeria cannot rise if half of its strength is deliberately muted. To build the future we desire, we need every voice, every mind, and every gender at the table. Our voices matter. Our participation matters. Our presence in governance is not a favour. It is a necessity.”

Drawing from her leadership journey across business and publishing, she underscored that inclusion must move beyond token appointments to substantive influence backed by competence and courage.

Other contributors highlighted the need for policy reforms, sustained voter education, and institutional frameworks that transform women and young people from passive participants into active stakeholders in governance.

There was consensus among the panel that the 2027 elections must represent more than another cycle of campaign promises. Instead, it should mark a measurable shift toward inclusive political structures where women and youth occupy central roles in shaping national direction.

The podcast was broadcast live across Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram via @clicknaija1 and the Click Naija digital platforms, reaching a broad and engaged audience. Listeners described the session as timely, thought provoking, and energizing.

Chioma Onyekaba’s closing reflection encapsulated the tone of the afternoon:

“We can do better as a nation if we can fix the issues of inequality.”

As conversations around political participation intensify ahead of 2027, the Unite Naija platform has positioned itself as a space where difficult questions are asked and necessary answers are demanded.