Top 10 Female Senators In Nigeria (2024)

Nigeria has had many impressive female senators over the years. These women have made notable contributions to the country’s legislature and have been trailblazers for women’s political representation.

However, In this guide, we’ll share with you the top 10 female senators in Nigeria as of 2024. You’ll learn about their background, political career, and notable achievements.

1. Remi Tinubu

Oluremi “Remi” Tinubu was born on September 21, 1960, in Ogun State, Nigeria. She is a prominent politician and the current First Lady of Nigeria. Before her political career, she was a teacher after earning a degree in Sociology from the University of Ife.

Remi became the First Lady of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007 while her husband, Bola Tinubu, was governor. During this time, she started the New Era Foundation to support youth and health programs.

In 2011, Remi Tinubu was elected as the senator for Lagos Central. She was re-elected in 2015 and 2019, making her one of the few female senators to serve three consecutive terms. She focused on education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment.

Notable achievements include introducing bills to reform the Nigerian Postal Service and enhance youth skill programs. She was honored as the most impactful female senator at The Guardian’s International Women’s Day Summit in 2021.

In June 2023, she became First Lady of Nigeria to continue her advocacy for women’s rights and youth empowerment.

2. Grace Folashade Bent

Grace Folashade Bent, born on December 15, 1960, in Adamawa State, Nigeria was a senator for Adamawa South from 2007 to 2011. Bent holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Maiduguri.

Elected to the Senate under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Bent focused on women’s rights, healthcare reform, and poverty alleviation. She was a strong advocate for improving educational access for girls and women.

Although she served only one term, her active participation in different committees and community service had a significant impact.

After her tenure, Bent continued to advocate for women’s and children’s rights and remained involved in local politics and community development.

3. Uche Ekwunife

Uche Ekwunife was born on March 12, 1970, and represents Anambra Central in the Nigerian Senate under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). She holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Nigeria Nsukka.

Ekwunife worked extensively in the banking sector before she became a senator, having begun her political career as a House of Representatives member from 2011 to 2015.

Her performance led to her election as a senator later in 2015. In the Senate, Ekwunife has been an advocate for women’s rights and youth empowerment. She supports bills focused on education and economic development.

4. Binta Masi Garba

Binta Masi Garba, born on March 19, 1973, represented Adamawa North as a senator since 2015 under the All Progressives Congress (APC) with a degree in education and business administration from Ahmadu Bello University.

Elected to the Senate in 2015, Garba has been active in committees focused on health, education, and women’s affairs.

Aside from her Senate duties, Garba is involved in different philanthropic activities, including supporting women and youth development programs in her constituency.

5. Florence Ita Giwa

Florence Ita Giwa, born on December 19, 1946, served as a senator for Cross River South from 1999 to 2003 under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Ita Giwa was active in charitable work focused on healthcare and education before politics. Her tenure as a senator was seen by efforts to improve healthcare services and promote gender equality.

After leaving office, she continued her advocacy through NGOs that support women’s empowerment and child welfare.

6. Nkechi Justina Nwaogu

Nkechi Justina Nwaogu represented Abia South from 2007 to 2015 under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), having begun her political career in 2007 when she was elected to the Senate.

She focused on education, healthcare, and women’s rights. Also, she advocated for better education for girls and women in Nigeria.

During her time in the Senate, she was involved in committees related to health and education. Nwaogu is also known for her philanthropic efforts, especially in education and women’s empowerment.

7. Rose Oko

Rose Okoji Oko, born on September 27, 1956, in Cross River State, Nigeria was a senator representing Cross River North from 2015 until her death on March 23, 2020.

Before politics, Oko was a successful educator and administrator. She started her teaching career with the Nigerian Youth Service Corps and became a lecturer at various institutions.

However, her political career began in 2011 when she was elected to the House of Representatives, becoming the first female representative from her constituency.

Oko also served as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment. Her contributions were notable until her passing, which left a gap in her community and among her colleagues.

8. Abiodun Olujimi

Abiodun Olujimi, born on July 22, 1960, in Ekiti State, Nigeria represented Ekiti South from 2015 to 2024 under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Olujimi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Lagos and worked as a lawyer before entering politics.

Olujimi’s political career began in 2003 when she was elected to the House of Representatives. In 2015, she moved to the Senate, where she continued to advocate for gender equality and economic empowerment.

Olujimi has been active in different Senate committees and has sponsored numerous bills to improve healthcare and education.

9. Fatimat Raji-Rasaki

Fatimat Raji-Rasaki, born on February 18, 1961, in Ekiti State, Nigeria represented Ekiti Central from 2015 to 2019 under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Elected to the Senate in 2015, Raji-Rasaki focused on women’s empowerment, youth development, and social welfare.

She advocated for legislative reforms to improve education and healthcare services for marginalized communities. Also, she was involved in Senate committees related to health and education.

10. Monsurat Sunmonu

Monsurat Olajumoke Sunmonu, born on April 9, 1959, in Oyo State, Nigeria, is a prominent Nigerian politician known for her contributions to Nigerian politics and social causes.

She served as a Senator for Oyo Central from June 9, 2015, to June 9, 2019, and was the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Before her senatorial role, she was the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly from June 10, 2011, to June 8, 2015, becoming the first female Speaker in Oyo State.

Sunmonu’s early education took place in Nigeria before she moved to the UK for higher studies. She worked in different roles in the British government, including the UK Border Agency, for over 20 years.

Notably, she advocated for the compulsory treatment of critical condition victims in Nigeria and supported gender equality and anti-corruption measures.

She also focused on infrastructure improvements, particularly on the Oyo-Ogbomosho Expressway and the Ibadan-Ife Expressway.