TOS Foundation Africa has partnered with the Embassy of Switzerland in Nigeria to launch the HerCademy Leadership Institute a move to address the severe underrepresentation of women in Nigerian politics.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed in Abuja, signaling a concerted effort to equip women with the practical tools needed to win public office.
The agreement, finalized ahead of Women’s History Month in March, was signed by the Founder of TOS Foundation Africa, Osasu Ogwuche, and the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Patrick Egloff. The initiative directly confronts a stark reality: women currently hold less than five per cent of the seats in the National Assembly, and not a single woman serves as a governor among the country’s 36 states. This is despite women comprising nearly half of all registered voters.
Addressing Systemic Barriers to Entry
The HerCademy Leadership Institute is conceived as a practical, skills-based programme designed to dismantle the structural, financial, and socio-cultural barriers that hinder women’s electoral success. The foundation emphasizes that the curriculum moves beyond mere motivation to focus on the concrete realities of political competition.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mrs. Osasu Ogwuche, Founder of TOS Foundation Africa, highlighted the critical gap the institute aims to fill.
“Across Africa, there is no shortage of capable women who feel deeply called to serve. What has been missing, for too long, is structured access to the practical knowledge, the strategic tools, and the supportive networks that turn aspiration into electoral success,” Ogwuche said.
She further stressed the program’s foundational purpose, stating, “HerCademy is our answer to that gap. This is not about motivation alone. It is about equipping women with the competence, the confidence, and the community they need to step forward, compete effectively, and win.”
A Partnership for Democratic Strength
The Swiss Embassy underscored that the collaboration is an extension of its long-standing commitment to fostering democratic governance and inclusive political participation. The embassy views the investment in women’s political readiness as essential for strengthening democratic institutions.
In a statement, the embassy articulated its vision for the partnership, noting, “The agreement, signed by Ambassador Patrick Egloff and the Deputy Head of Mission, Siamak Rouhani, reflects Switzerland’s long-standing commitment to democratic governance, gender equality, and inclusive political participation.”
The statement continued, “This partnership aims to equip women leaders with the skills, networks, and confidence to advance in legislative spaces. We look forward to supporting this exciting journey and the transformational impact it will have in strengthening democratic institutions and empowering women in leadership.”
Mrs. Ogwuche echoed this sentiment, framing the international support as a powerful endorsement of inclusive leadership. “This partnership reflects a shared belief that Africa’s progress depends on expanding the table of leadership,” she said.
A National Curriculum for Political Readiness
The HerCademy Leadership Institute is built on three core principles: grounding participants in the specific political realities of their contexts, prioritizing hands-on skills-based training, and fostering a robust alumni network for sustained support. The curriculum was developed over several months in consultation with academics, former political aspirants, scholars, and sitting legislators.
The inaugural cohort will be a national one, bringing together 37 women one from each state and the Federal Capital Territory for intensive training designed to boost their political competitiveness.
The initiative is a key component of TOS Foundation Africa’s broader strategy to build a sustainable pipeline of female leaders across the continent. The foundation, which also convenes the coalition behind the proposed Reserved Seats for Women Bill, maintains that legislative reform must be complemented by practical readiness and institutional support to create lasting change.
