Nigeria Wins Election Into UN CEDAW, Esther Eghobamien-Mshelia Elected by 123 Member States

Nigeria has secured a seat on the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), marking a significant diplomatic victory for the country . Esther Eghobamien-Mshelia, Nigeria’s candidate, was elected during the 24th meeting of States Parties held at the UN Headquarters in New York on June 26, 2026 .

According to Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, Nigeria secured 123 votes in the election. Sri Lanka led with the highest votes at 144, followed by Egypt (141), Uganda (140), Mongolia (136), and Canada (135). Other elected countries include Estonia, Azerbaijan (133 each), Cuba (128), Spain (125), Mexico (119), and Antigua and Barbuda (118) .

Eghobamien-Mshelia is an international gender expert, public policy analyst, and founder of Women Arise Development and Humanitarian Initiative. She also created a financial literacy mobile app for market women and previously served as Special Assistant to the Minister of Women Affairs and interim coordinator of a $250 million World Bank-supported women’s project .

Congratulations to Nigeria, the First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Nigerian women on this achievement .