Nigeria’s push for gender balance in politics gained significant momentum on Monday as President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas publicly declared their support for the Reserved Seats for Women Bill.
The bill, currently under consideration at the National Public Hearing on Constitution Alteration in Abuja, seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to create additional seats in the National Assembly and state legislatures exclusively for women. Advocates say the reform will help correct decades of systemic exclusion of women from governance and decision-making.
President Tinubu, represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, emphasized that constitutional reform must reflect current realities and safeguard equity.
“This process is about giving Nigerians renewed confidence that their voices matter in shaping the future of our democracy. The outcome will receive due attention as part of our collective quest to build a stronger and more united Nigeria,” Tinubu said.
Senate President Akpabio, represented by Deputy Majority Whip Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, reminded participants that the constitution belongs to the people.
“This hearing is your opportunity to shape a constitution that is people-oriented and inclusive. History should record that the 10th National Assembly gave Nigerians a truly representative constitution,” he stated.
House Speaker Abbas described the Reserved Seats Bill as a “necessary legal instrument” to accelerate women’s participation in governance, stressing that it is an issue of justice rather than pity. He also hinted at other ongoing reforms, including quotas for women in ministerial positions and legal recognition for persons with disabilities.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who chairs the Constitution Review Committee, called the bill “transformative,” noting that it seeks to end systemic exclusion.
In a historic display of unity, over one million Nigerian women across the 36 states and the FCT submitted signed petitions demanding the bill’s speedy passage.
Presenting the signatures, Irene Awunah-Ikyegh, President of the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV), said:
“With only 15 women in the House of Representatives and four in the Senate, our democracy cannot be called inclusive. One woman senator per state, one representative per state, and additional seats in state assemblies would change this narrative forever.”
The movement has also received international backing from the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery; EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot; and UN Resident Coordinator, Mohammed Fall, all of whom expressed support for the reform.
Nigeria currently ranks among the lowest in Africa for women’s political representation, with women occupying less than 5% of parliamentary seats.
Advocates say passing the bill would not only address historical imbalances but also enhance governance by ensuring more diverse voices in policymaking.
As hearings continue, pressure is mounting on the 10th National Assembly to seize the moment and make history. For many Nigerian women, the Reserved Seats Bill represents more than legislation. It is a promise of inclusion, justice, and a more representative democracy.
