In this episode of the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) tracker, we spotlight motions in the 10th Senate that address equality, inclusion, and support for Nigeria’s most vulnerable groups.
While only three motions were previously identified as directly GESI-focused, this piece expands the scope to include motions with indirect GESI relevance, including those promoting access to education, social protection, support for IDPs, and relief for conflict and disaster-affected communities.
GESI-Referenced motions in Senate
Between July 4, 2023, and March 25, 2025, the 10th senate passed a total of 156 motions. Out of these, 29 were identified as indirectly addressing GESI.
While these motions were not explicitly focused on GESI, they touched on key areas relevant to the principle of inclusion, such as disaster response, humanitarian aid, and support for displaced populations.
These interventions matter because GESI is fundamentally about addressing systemic inequalities and ensuring that vulnerable and often excluded groups, including women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and internally displaced persons (IDPs), are prioritized in national policies and legislative action.
Although the motions did not always specifically highlight women or persons with disabilities, their relevance to socially excluded populations makes them important to consider in the broader context of inclusive governance.
This data underscores the need for more intentional and targeted legislative actions that center the voices and needs of marginalized communities. It also presents an opportunity to engage lawmakers in designing motions and policies that go beyond indirect support to explicitly address the barriers these groups face.
Read Also: Only 3 of 100 Motions Directly Spotlight Inclusion in the 10 Senate | GESI Tracker
The 29 Motions in Focus
These motions, while not explicitly about GESI, contain strong social protection and vulnerability mitigation elements. They were considered GESI-relevant because they:
- Support internally displaced persons (IDPs), who are often women, children, and persons with disabilities.
- Promote access to emergency relief for disaster-affected communities where vulnerability is often gendered.
- Tackle issues like poverty, insecurity, exclusion from education, and lack of access to economic opportunities.
Below are highlights of the motions that fall under this category:
Sen. Satso P. Diket (APC, Plateau) called for addressing insecurity and supporting IDPs in Plateau state, including rebuilding homes and providing basic amenities for displaced persons, who are often women and children, and PWDs who feel the impact of insecurity the hardest.
Sen. Olugbenga J. Daniel (APC, Ogun) sponsored a motion requesting flood relief in Sagamu, Ijebu Areas of Ogun East Senatorial District, Ogun State, Edu and Patigi Areas of Kwara North Senatorial District of Kwara State. Flooding disproportionately affects the poor, especially women-headed households and low-income communities.
In a motion, Sen. Osita B. Izunaso (APC, Imo) called for resettlement and livelihood support in erosion-affected communities in Imo State. Livelihood aid addresses exclusion from economic opportunities.
Sen. Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC, Borno) called for an investigation into MSME loan disbursement. Most women and youth are involved in this scheme; hence, this motion helps in promoting financial access and supports women, youth, and underserved entrepreneurs.
Now the governor of Edo state, Sen. Okpebholo Monday (APC, Edo), during his time in the Senate, called for erosion control and emergency response to save lives, properties, and physical infrastructure from collapse. Rural and marginalized communities are often most affected by environmental degradation. Hence, this motion is GESI relevant.
Sen. Olalere K. Oyewumi (PDP, Osun) motion called for relief support for flood-affected households in Osun State that may lack the resources to recover independently.
Sen. Zam Titus Tartenger (APC, Benue) called for the urgent need to resettle the displaced people of Gwer-West, Makurdi and Guma crisis in Benue state. The motion further called for humanitarian aid for crisis-displaced persons. This motion emphasizes the rights to shelter, health, and food.
Sen. Mohammed Sani Musa (APC, Niger) called for the deployment of troops and other security agencies to Niger state and other parts of Nigeria to fight insurgency. He added that relief and medical assistance be given to victims of terrorism in Niger state, many of whom are displaced or severely traumatized.
Sen. Binos Dauda Yaroe (PDP, Adamawa) called for the urgent need to address the recurring issue of flood-induced damages, calling for a permanent solution to the problem. He further called for restitution and rebuilding for flood-affected communities. This motion recognizes long-term vulnerability due to climate-related disasters and the need to take action immediately.
Sen. Abiru Mukhail Adetokunbo (APC, Lagos) called for relief for flood victims in Lagos and Ogun. Often, these disasters affect informal and low-income settlements.
Sen. Olubiyi Fadeyi Oluwole (PDP, Osun) called for a relief package to support citizens affected by the communal clashes between Ifon and Ilobu communities. This is GESI’s focus, as it is on restoring social protection.
In a motion, Sen. Abbas Aminu Iya (PDP, Adamawa) called for relief aid and educational campaigns for flood victims in Adamawa. Viewing this on the GESI lens, inclusion is supported through awareness and protection.
Sen. Adamu Mohammed Alieto Mainasara (PDP, Kebbi), in a motion, advocated for a ceasefire in the Israel-Palestine conflict and emphasized protecting women and children.
Sen. Plang Diket Satso (APC, Plateau) condemned the barbaric killing of innocent and helpless citizens of Mangu-Bokkos-Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau state and for an urgent need to supply relief materials to the victims of the crisis and upscale security operations. This is aimed at reducing displacement impacts.
Sen. Emmanuel Memga Udende (APC, Benue) called for action to be take against the increasing insecurity in Kwande, Ukum, Logo and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas in Benue North East Senatorial District requested NEMA relief for communities affected by terrorist attacks in Benue State. These communities include displaced and vulnerable populations, mostly women, children and PWDs.
Tackling the crisis of out-of-school children in Nigeria. This disproportionately affects girls and children from impoverished households. Senator Idiat Oluranti Adebule (APC, Lagos) called for sensitization and advocacy on the importance of education to the growth and development of our country. She further called on government at all levels to implement targeted intervention program that will address all the factors militating against free access to quality and basic education particularly, multidimensional poverty and insecurity.
Sen. Mohammed Ogoshi Onowo (PDP, Nasarawa) called for relief for windstorm victims in Nasarawa, many of whom are rural dwellers with limited access to public aid.
Sen. Okechukwu Ezea (LP, Enugu) called for humanitarian support for victims of violent attacks in Enugu. Many displaced citizens face significant reintegration challenges hence this motion is GESI driven.
Sen. Isah Jibrin (APC, Kogi) called for rehabilitation of Agojeju Odo, Ajokpachi Odo, Bagaji and Bagana Communities in Omala Local Government Areas of Kogi State affected by gunmen attacks. Using the GESI lens, community-led peacebuilding strengthens social inclusion.
In a motion, Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC, Cross River) called for the halt the incessant killings and boundary disputes in parts of Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State. He urged for assistance for boundary dispute victims. Displacement and conflict recovery are key inclusion points.
Sen. Benson Friday Konbowei (PDP, Bayelsa) in a motion called for medical support and relief in pollution-affected areas in Bayelsa, where poor communities bear disproportionate environmental burdens.
Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia) called for emergency relief and rebuilding in flood-hit Abia communities.
Sen. Fasuyi Cyril Oluwole (APC, Ekiti) called for relief, farm tools, and housing for communities impacted by flooding in Ekiti.
Sen. Mustapha Khabeeb (PDP, Jigawa) demanded relief materials for windstorm victims in Jigawa, where infrastructure is weak and vulnerabilities are high.
Sen. Sulieman Umar Sadiq (APC, Kwara) in a motion called for the navigation safety and disaster support following a boat mishap in Kwara. Rural and riverine communities face higher risks.
Sen. Adegbonmire Adeniyi Ayodele (APC, Ondo) called for flood relief for displaced communities in Ondo, including basic shelter and rehabilitation.
Sen. Ned Munir Nwoko (APC, Delta) requested a comprehensive emergency response for Delta North flood victims, including food, water, IDP camps, and long-term solutions.
Sen. Emmanuel Memga Udende (APC, Benue) called for increased security and aid for communities suffering repeated violence in Benue.
Sen. Zam Titus Tartenger (APC, Benue) advocated for military deployment and humanitarian support in Gwer-West, Benue. This addresses insecurity and support for affected civilians.
These motions collectively reflect a call for the protection of Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations particularly in the face of conflict, natural disasters, exclusion from education, and livelihood insecurity. While they may not have been explicitly tagged as GESI motions, their substance aligns with the principles of inclusive governance and equitable response.
Why This Matters
The 10th Senate has seen a gradual increase in social protection motions that can be leveraged for GESI advocacy. However, only three motions are GESI directly, and 29 are indirectly GESI. This underlines the urgent need for more proactive legislation on gender, disability, and inclusion, representation of marginalized voices in legislative priority setting.
