House of Representatives, yesterday, intensified advocacy for the passage of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) also backing the move to end decades of gender imbalance in Nigeria’s politics.
Speaking at a media briefing at the National Assembly, UNDP Nigeria Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, described the bill as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
She lamented that despite making up nearly half of Nigeria’s population, women hold fewer than five per cent of seats in the National Assembly.
While referencing the Super Falcons’ recent continental triumph, Attafuah noted that the team’s success was a reminder that women’s brilliance, resilience, and leadership transcend sports, communities, and governance.
She said their victory was not only a source of national pride but also a symbolic call to action for Nigeria to accelerate efforts toward achieving full and equitable representation for women in leadership.
She said: “The evidence is clear: when women are equitably represented, policy outcomes improve, trust in institutions grows, and governance becomes more responsive to the needs of all citizens. Countries around the world, from Rwanda to Nepal, have demonstrated the power of reserved seats in fast-tracking women’s political empowerment and shaping more inclusive societies.
“Here in Nigeria, we know that women are already leading in communities, delivering education, advocating for healthcare, sustaining families, and building peace. What they need now are clear pathways into formal political leadership.
“UNDP stands fully behind this campaign. We are committed to providing the technical support, policy advisory, and convening power required to build momentum behind the Bill.
And in the weeks ahead, we will deepen our engagement, mobilising civic education, fostering cross-party dialogue, and supporting public advocacy to ensure this Bill moves from promise to policy.”
Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, who co-sponsored the bill, KafilatOgbara, explained that the draft legislation sought to reserve one additional seat for women in both the Senate and House of Representatives across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as three additional seats for women in every state House of Assembly.
According to her, the bill contains inclusivity measures to accommodate young women, women with disabilities, and those from marginalised communities, and provides a framework for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’sassignment, with a review after four electoral cycles.
The lawmaker stated: “The Reserve Seat for Women Bill is not just about numbers; it is about giving women a voice in the decision-making processes that affect their lives and communities. By increasing women’s representation, we can ensure that their perspectives, needs, and rights are adequately addressed in policy formulation and implementation.
“This bill aligns with international commitments to gender equality, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5, which calls for achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
“Studies have shown that when women are included in decision-making processes, economic growth is accelerated, benefiting the entire nation.”
