Women within the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) yesterday declared that they would take on greater leadership roles within the union, saying that the era of taking backseat roles has gone.
At the 8th SSANU National Women Conference held in Abuja, the national women coordinator, Comrade Agnes Adanna NTI, stressed the need for women to move beyond supporting roles within the union, urging them to prepare themselves for leadership positions, including the office of the national president.
She pointed to the various training sessions and workshops to equip women and prepare them for these roles.
“I have always encouraged our women to develop themselves because a time will come when women will take over the leadership of SSANU,” she said.
Corroborating Nti, the former national women’s leader of SSANU, Barrister Hadiza Kabiru, challenged women to aspire to top leadership positions rather than be content with minor roles.
Barrister Kabiru stressed the importance of unity among women, noting that internal support is crucial for women to ascend to higher offices within the union.
Both labour leaders agreed that with courage, preparedness, and family support, women could excel in leadership and contribute significantly to the union’s progress and national development.
SSANU president Comrade Mohammed Haruna commended women’s contributions to the union and reaffirmed the union’s commitment to gender equity.
“It’s heartwarming to see so many powerful, intelligent, and dedicated professional women gathered here today, united by our shared commitment to empowerment, growth, and positive change,” he stated.