How Buhari is marginalising half of Nigerians, women – NIM

The Nigerian Institute of Management has accused President Muhammadu
Buhari of marginalising about half of the country's population.

NIM anchored it's accusation on Buhari's failure to appoint a
significant number of women into his cabinet.

The President and Chairman of Council, NIM, Prof Olukunle Iyanda said
this at the Annual Women in Management and Leadership Conference 2018
in Abuja on Wednesday

Iyanda noted that more women were appointed into the cabinet of former
President Goodluck Jonathan than in Buhari's current cabinet.

According to Iyanda, "Women accounted for about 33 per cent of
(former) President Jonathan's cabinet, while the corresponding figures
in President Buhari's cabinet have declined by almost 50 per cent to
19 per cent.

"What these figures portray is that about half the population of
Nigeria is marginalised and not enabled to contribute its quota to the
development of the country."

Iyanda also noted that in the private sector, women filled an average
of only 22 per cent of board positions and 15 per cent of executive
positions in companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

"The question might be raised as to why the society should worry about
the gender gap in leadership positions. Generally, companies with more
women than men on their boards are more profitable. In addition, the
United Nations says that when women work or lead, economies grow.

"It is therefore obvious that the discrimination against women and
their consequent under-representation in leadership positions negate
the development process. It is thus in the interest of any
organisation or country, indeed of humanity, to ensure an equitable
representation of women in their top decision-making and management
positions," Iyanda added.