In a significant move to boost gender inclusion in Nigeria’s political landscape, female lawmakers have called for nationwide support for a bill seeking to create 182 additional legislative seats exclusively for women across the country.
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara, made the call on Tuesday during a press briefing in Abuja. Ogbara, who represents Kosofe Federal Constituency of Lagos State, said the bill is designed to correct the poor representation of women in Nigeria’s political space.
According to her, “The poor representation of women in elective positions, despite their population, does not reflect a truly inclusive democracy. I urge all stakeholders, government officials, civil society organisations, and citizens to rally behind this crucial bill.”
She emphasized that the proposed legislation is more than a quota adjustment but a bold step towards building an equitable democracy. The bill proposes one additional seat per state, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to be reserved for women in both chambers of the National Assembly, as well as three additional seats in each State House of Assembly.
“This bill is not just about increasing numbers,” Ogbara added. “It’s about ensuring that women’s voices, needs, and perspectives are embedded in policymaking. It aligns with international frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5, which focuses on gender equality.”
Also speaking, Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the FCT, echoed Ogbara’s sentiments, noting that Nigeria stands to benefit immensely from the full participation of women in politics.
“This bill is not just about more women in parliament,” Kingibe said. “It is about unlocking the full potential of our country for faster, more sustainable development.”
In her remarks, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Representative, Ms Elsie Attafuah, lauded the leadership of the 10th National Assembly for supporting the bill, describing it as a “defining moment” in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
“This is not just a proposal,” Attafuah said. “It is a call to dismantle systemic barriers and foster inclusive governance. Nigerian women have consistently shown leadership across sectors, including in sports, with the Super Falcons as a prime example.”
Also speaking in support, Nikky Onyeri, Secretary-General of the Association of Women Traditional Title Holders in Nigeria, described the bill as both “timely and essential.” She appealed to both the legislative and executive arms of government to ensure its passage.
“We are optimistic,” Onyeri said. “With President Bola Tinubu’s gender-friendly stance and the apparent support from the House leadership, the time to act is now.”
Currently, women occupy less than 5% of Nigeria’s legislative seats—a statistic the bill aims to improve drastically if passed.
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