By CHINYERE Nnaemeka
Nigeria does not need more of the same. It needs leaders with competence, compassion, experience and the courage to deliver—and Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu (Ada Owere) brings all four.
For decades, Nigerian women have demonstrated that they possess the capacity, competence and resilience to contribute meaningfully to national development. Yet, despite making up roughly half of the population, women remain severely underrepresented in the country’s political institutions.
The 10th National Assembly tells the story clearly. Women occupy only a small fraction of the 469 seats, even though female lawmakers who have made it into the chambers continue to distinguish themselves through legislative advocacy, constituency representation, committee responsibilities and community development.
From Deputy Chief Whip Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga to Senators Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Ireti Kingibe, and lawmakers such as Kafilat Ogbara, Mariam Onuoha and Zainab Gimba, Nigerian women have shown that political leadership is not exclusively a man’s territory.
The question, therefore, is no longer whether women can lead. The real question is: why are there still so few women at the decision-making table? This is why the emergence of Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu as a leading contender for the Owerri Federal Constituency seat in the 2027 House of Representatives election deserves serious consideration.
BETTY AKEREDOLU: BEYOND THE TITLE OF “FORMER FIRST LADY”
It would be easy to introduce Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu simply as a former First Lady of Ondo State. But doing so would significantly underestimate her credentials. She is an Aquaculturist, renewable-energy researcher, public health advocate, development strategist, entrepreneur, philanthropist and political leader whose career has extended far beyond the corridors of government.
She holds a BSc in Zoology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; an MSc in Fisheries and Aquaculture from the University of the Philippines; a Master of Public Health from the University of Ibadan; and a PhD in Fisheries and Aquaculture Technology from the Federal University of Technology, Akure.
That academic background is complemented by practical experience. As MD/CEO of Aquatek Farms Ventures, with operations in Ibadan and Owo, she has pursued innovative approaches to sustainable fish production, including solar-powered recirculating aquaculture systems.This is significant in a country grappling with food insecurity, unemployment, rising production costs and energy challenges. Her record demonstrates that she does not merely discuss development in theoretical terms. She has spent years working on solutions.
A WOMAN WHO TURNED ADVOCACY INTO INSTITUTIONS
Perhaps one of the strongest arguments for Betty Akeredolu is her history of creating platforms that outlive political office. She founded the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN) and became one of the prominent voices in cancer awareness, early detection and public health advocacy. She also founded the Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu Foundation, through which healthcare access, birth registration initiatives and social-impact programmes have been advanced for vulnerable populations.
Then came another important intervention: the BEMORE Empowered Girls Foundation, which focuses on equipping girls with ICT and solar technology skills and preparing them for opportunities in the digital economy. These initiatives point to a particular leadership philosophy: empowerment should not merely provide temporary relief; it should give people the tools to become self-reliant.That philosophy is particularly relevant to Owerri Federal Constituency and Imo State, where young people, women, entrepreneurs and vulnerable families need representation that connects legislation with real-life economic opportunities.
WHY WOMEN ARE NEEDED IN POLITICS
Women bring perspectives shaped by experiences that are sometimes overlooked in policy conversations. Issues such as healthcare, education, child welfare, food security, economic empowerment, social protection, entrepreneurship and community development directly affect families—and women are often at the centre of these realities. But the argument for women in politics should not be reduced to gender alone. Women should be elected because they are qualified. And where qualification, experience, competence and a demonstrable record of service exist, gender should never be used as a barrier.
Betty Akeredolu’s case therefore goes beyond “vote for a woman because she is a woman.” It is a case for considering a woman because she is prepared for the job.
FROM EXPERIENCE TO REPRESENTATION
Her experience as First Lady gave her exposure to governance, public administration, community engagement and the realities of leadership.Her professional career gave her technical expertise. Her advocacy work gave her grassroots experience. Her foundation work gave her an understanding of social development. Her entrepreneurial journey gave her exposure to employment, food production and innovation. And her political ambition now presents an opportunity to bring these different experiences into legislative representation. That combination is unusual. A representative in the National Assembly should not only understand politics. The person should understand people, policy, development and the economy. Betty Akeredolu’s supporters argue that she brings this combination to the table.
THE OWERRI QUESTION
As the 2027 political season approaches, the people of Owerri Federal Constituency will ultimately have to decide what qualities they want in their representative. Do they want another politician who merely occupies a seat in Abuja? Or do they want someone who can use legislative influence to pursue infrastructure, human capital development, healthcare, women’s empowerment, youth advancement, poverty reduction, food security and sustainable economic opportunities? Those are the questions that should define the conversation.
A candidate’s ability to attract development should not rest solely on political connections. It should also be built on competence, networks, experience, credibility and the capacity to articulate the needs of the constituency effectively. With her broad professional network, extensive experience and exposure to different sectors and communities, Akeredolu believes she can bring these assets to bear in representing Owerri.
2027: A CHANCE TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE
Nigeria cannot continue to lament the low number of women in politics while simultaneously overlooking qualified women when opportunities arise. The country needs more women not because men are incapable of leadership, but because a nation that excludes a significant portion of its population from decision-making deprives itself of valuable ideas, experiences and leadership capacity. The women already serving in the National Assembly have shown what is possible.The next step is to create room for more competent women to participate.
Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu represents one of those possibilities. Her academic credentials are substantial. Her professional experience is extensive. Her public-health advocacy is established. Her empowerment initiatives are visible. Her experience in governance is firsthand. And her political agenda is focused on development.
For Owerri Federal Constituency, the 2027 election could therefore become more than another political contest. It could become a conversation about what kind of leadership the constituency wants—and whether competence, experience, innovation and service should determine who gets the mandate. Because ultimately, the strongest argument for women in politics is not simply that they are women. It is that among them are women who are eminently qualified to lead.
And Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu is putting her name forward as one of them.
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