2026 Women's Summit: APGA Announces Dame Pauline Tallen OFR as Keynote Speaker

2026 WOMEN'S SUMMIT: APGA ANNOUNCES DAME PAULINE TALLEN OFR AS KEYNOTE SPEAKER

By Wole Adedoyin 

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has announced former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development and former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Dame Pauline Tallen, as the keynote speaker for the 2026 National Women's Summit. 

The Summit is aimed at promoting greater participation of women in politics and governance and reinforcing the party's commitment to inclusive leadership and gender equality in Nigeria.

The event is scheduled to hold on Saturday, 11 July 2026, by 11:00 a.m., at the Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Centre, Abuja. 

Organised by the APGA National Working Committee in collaboration with the APGA Women Wing, the event is expected to attract political leaders, government officials, policymakers, traditional rulers, members of the diplomatic community, civil society organisations, women groups, development partners, youth leaders and members of the public from across Nigeria.

The theme of the summit, "Advancing Women's Inclusion in Politics and Governance: Addressing Barriers to Women's Participation and Representation," reflects APGA's unwavering determination to confront the social, cultural, economic and institutional barriers that continue to hinder women's access to political leadership and decision-making positions. 

The summit will provide a platform for robust dialogue and practical policy recommendations aimed at improving women's representation in elective and appointive offices across the country.

In announcing Dame Pauline Tallen as keynote speaker, the party described her as one of Nigeria's most accomplished female political leaders whose decades of public service have inspired countless women to aspire to leadership.

 APGA noted that her wealth of experience in governance, public administration and women advocacy makes her exceptionally qualified to lead discussions on strengthening women's political participation.

Dame Pauline Tallen has enjoyed a distinguished career spanning several decades in public service. She served as Nigeria's Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development from 2019 to 2023 and previously made history as the first woman to serve as Deputy Governor of Plateau State, a position she held after the 2007 elections. Earlier in her career, she served as Minister of State for Science and Technology under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, becoming one of the pioneering women to occupy such a strategic ministerial office in Nigeria.

A native of Shendam in Plateau State, Dame Pauline Tallen obtained a degree in Sociology from the University of Jos in 1982. Her political journey began in the public service before rising through various leadership positions, including councillor, commissioner in Plateau State, deputy governor, minister and national political leader. Throughout her career, she has remained an unwavering advocate for women, youth development and national unity.

Her commitment to public service has earned her numerous national and international honours.

 Among the recognitions are the African Icon of Our Generation Woman of the Year Award, the Nelson Mandela Africa Patriots Award presented by the Commonwealth Youth Council, the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2023, as well as several awards recognising her contributions to science and technology, education, healthcare, women empowerment, peacebuilding and humanitarian service.

APGA expressed confidence that Dame Pauline Tallen's keynote address will inspire meaningful conversations on dismantling structural barriers limiting women's political advancement while encouraging political parties, governments, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to adopt deliberate measures that will ensure greater gender inclusion in governance.

Participants will also examine strategies for empowering women leaders, expanding mentorship opportunities and strengthening democratic institutions that promote equal representation.

The National Working Committee reiterated that the 2026 National Women's Summit forms part of APGA's broader commitment to building an inclusive political culture where competence, equity and equal opportunity remain central values. 

The party believes that increasing women's participation in politics is essential to strengthening democratic governance, accelerating national development and fostering sustainable peace across Nigeria.

APGA therefore invites women leaders, political office holders, aspiring female politicians, members of political parties, development partners, traditional institutions, professional bodies, youth organisations, civil society groups and the general public to participate in the historic summit. 

The party remains optimistic that the resolutions emerging from the event will contribute significantly to advancing women's inclusion in politics and governance while shaping a more equitable and prosperous future for Nigeria.

Wole Adedoyin is the Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to APGA National Chairman