For the 2027 elections, female candidates aged 40 and below are stepping forward to contest for some of the country’s top political positions. From the presidential race to governorship and deputy governorship contests.
These women are seeking opportunities to influence leadership and take part in decision-making across the country. The candidates represent different political parties and states. With some seeking to become governors while others are contesting for deputy governorship positions.
According to the list of candidates compiled from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), 31 women aged 40 and below appear among those contesting for these positions. 
Female candidates contesting for president and governor in 2027 elections
Abubakar Nafisat Usaku, 35, is the only woman on the list contesting for the position of Vice-President. She is running on the platform of the Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA).
In the governorship race, several women are also seeking to lead their respective states.
In Abia State, Umezurike Doris Uzumma, 39, is contesting for governor under the African Action Congress (AAC).
Akwa Ibom has two female governorship candidates: Archibong Inimbom Nsikak, 39, of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), and Umoh Emem, 36, of the Action Peoples Party (APP).
Joelyne Ita Hogan-Bassey, 39, is contesting to be the governor of Cross River State under the ADP.
In Delta State, James Esther, 39, is seeking the governorship seat under the Labour Party (LP).
Peter Helen Ojotule, 36, is also contesting for governor of Lagos State on the platform of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
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Women contesting for deputy governor
Several other women are seeking deputy governorship positions across different states.
In Zamfara State, Abdullah Samira, 38, is contesting under the ADP while Sani Mailafiya Asmau, 35, is running on the platform of the Labour Party.
Zarau Hassan Daya, 35, is contesting for deputy governor of Yobe State under the Action Peoples Party (APP).
Akwa Ibom has two women in the deputy governorship race. Nene Okon Ekpo, 38, is contesting under the APP. Okodi Josephine Ntukenyin, 36, is running on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Muhammad Badia Lawan, 35, is contesting for deputy governor of Bauchi State under the ADP.
In Delta State, Shenuwa Blessing, 39, is running under the Action Peoples Movement (APM). Meanwhile Olomu Ngozi Blessing, 35, is contesting under the Young Progressives Party (YP).
Ebonyi State also has two female deputy governorship candidates: Nnoruka Oluchi Faith, 36, of the NNPP. Udogu Susan, 36, of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) is also vying for the same post.
Three women are seeking the deputy governorship position in Enugu State. They are Okechukwu Chetachi Maureen, 40, of the ADP; Ikenta Chinwendu Perpetual of the BP; and Nwachukwu Gloria, 40, of the YPP.
In Jigawa State, Yukub Fatima, 35, is contesting under the Accord party, while Samira Bala Usman, 40, is seeking the position in Kano State on the platform of the National Democratic Party (NDP).
Hassan Joy Habiba, 35, is representing the APP in the Kebbi State deputy governorship race and Bello Saadatu, 37, is contesting in Niger State under the APP.
More female join the deputy governorship race
This post has more women contesting for it than the governorship.
Ogun State has two women in the race: Onifade Saidat Adejoke, 40, of the ADP, and Olayinka Bisola Deborah, 39, of the National Rescue Movement (NRM).
In Plateau State, Sati Monica Dangkat, 40, is contesting under the A party, while Dapas Nanchin Dala, 38, is running on the platform of the APP.
Datit Tongriang Mildred, 36, and Kaduna Charity, 35, are also listed among the female deputy governorship candidates in Plateau State. Datit is listed under the DLA, while Charity is contesting under the NRM.
Maryam Musa Geda, 36, is another woman from Taraba contesting for deputy governor under the DLA.
Young women in Nigeria’s 2027 elections
The presence of these women in the 2027 race highlights the participation of younger female politicians in Nigeria’s electoral process.
Although they are contesting under different political parties, they share an interest in securing positions in the country’s executive leadership.
As the election approaches, their campaigns and political activities will form part of the wider contest for leadership across the states and at the national level.
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