Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has alleged she’s been excluded from Nigeria’s delegation to the 2026 UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York, despite earlier indications she was being prepared for the trip.
The conference, bringing together global leaders and activists, aims to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Senator Ireti Kingibe, Chair of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, had warned she’d boycott the conference if Akpoti-Uduaghan was excluded, saying, “If Senator Natasha Akpoti is not going to attend the programme, it means I am not going to attend too.” However, Kingibe later informed Akpoti-Uduaghan that only two senators, herself and Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, were officially nominated.
Documents suggest Akpoti-Uduaghan was initially considered for the trip, with an aide requesting her passport data.
Kingibe advised Akpoti-Uduaghan to attend independently if she has a valid US visa, but access depends on formal accreditation.
