By TAYE OBATERU

Jos — The continued under-representation of women in politics and other spheres might undermine current efforts by Nigeria to be among the top 20 world economies, wife of Benue State Governor, Mrs. Yemisi Dooshma Suswam has said.

Delivering a  lecture at the University of Jos, she said unless the potentials and abilities of Nigerian women are properly harnessed, the goal may be difficult to achieve.

”There is little doubt that the success of Nigeria’s objective to be among the top 20 world economies by 2020 rests to a large extent on Nigeria’s ability to harness the abilities of its womenfolk and drive them as engines of durable growth.

”As we proceed further, we shall see that Nigeria’s future growth prospects are irrevocably tied to the status of its women and its ability to adequately leverage their considerable economic potential”, she said.

Mrs. Suswan was the guest lecturer at the lecture entitled “Empowering Women for Leadership Through Education,” which was organised by the Gender Intervention Team in collaboration with the Centre for Women and a Gender Studies of the University of Jos.