The Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission (PLASGEOC), in collaboration with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), has called on wives of legislators in the Plateau State House of Assembly to take the lead in championing women’s rights to housing, land, and property. The advocacy engagement, held on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Crispan Hotel, Jos, brought together stakeholders to address cultural and legal barriers that continue to deprive women of their rightful inheritance and property ownership.
In her welcome address, Secretary of the Commission, Barr. Nalong Gumut, emphasized the significance of engaging lawmakers’ wives as partners in driving reform. He noted that discriminatory practices rooted in culture and tradition had long deprived women of equal access to housing, land, and property, stressing that “your presence here with us is not by chance, but intentional, because you are key in stepping forward to achieve this goal.”
Delivering her keynote, Acting Chairperson of PLASGEOC and Special Adviser to the Governor, Barr. Olivia Dazyam, urged participants to use their influence to push for reforms that would turn existing laws into lived realities. “Too many women still face heartbreaking challenges—widows evicted from their homes, daughters denied inheritance, women denied loans because they have no land titles,” she said. “You are not just wives of lawmakers; you are leaders and change-makers in your own right. Together, we can envision a Plateau where every daughter is an heir and no widow is chased out of her home.”
The Norwegian Refugee Council, through its Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance Officer, Barr. Nandi Dale, presented findings from a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) analysis conducted in Shendam, Bokkos, and Riyom LGAs. The study revealed that despite statutory laws guaranteeing women’s rights, enforcement remains weak at community level. “Widows and divorced women are particularly vulnerable,” Dale explained. “Change is possible, but it requires reforming customary systems, building the capacity of traditional and religious leaders, and intensifying awareness campaigns.”
Consultant to NRC, Obioma Ngozi Achilefu, Esq., who worked on drafting the inheritance bill, stressed that the proposed law seeks reform, not abolition of culture. “The aim of this bill is not to uproot the Iriko tree that has gained roots, but to cut off the dried branches and foreign fruits,” he said. “We are not discarding culture; we are pruning practices that trample on women’s rights. Equality in inheritance does not destroy families—it prevents conflict among siblings.”
In her goodwill message, Mrs. Mercy Naanlong Daniel, wife of the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, assured the Commission of their support. “We are committed to giving physical support, spiritual backing, and every encouragement needed to move this cause forward,” she said. Other legislators’ wives, including Pharmacist Mrs. Naanpoe Joseph Bukar of Shendam constituency, commended the timeliness of the engagement, noting that insecurity and cultural barriers have further worsened women’s plight.
The interactive session saw participants share real-life experiences of women dispossessed of property, next-of-kin disputes, and cultural practices that fuel family conflicts. They stressed the importance of sustained awareness and education to enable women to secure their future. “What you don’t know, you don’t do,” one participant remarked, underscoring the value of sensitization programs.
The meeting ended with a strong call for continuous advocacy, education of women on their rights under existing laws and policies, and empowerment programs to enable them to own property and live with dignity.
