On Monday, more than 750 women from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) gathered in Abuja, united in demanding the passage of the Special Seats Reserved for Women Bill. This landmark event, led by the Women’s Political Participation–Technical Working Group (WPP-TWG), represents a critical moment in Nigeria’s ongoing quest for gender equity in governance. The march, which began at the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development and culminated at the National Assembly Complex, underscored the urgency of addressing Nigeria’s stark gender imbalance in political representation.
The march began at 9:00 a.m. at the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, where women from diverse backgrounds gathered to press for constitutional reform. By 10:00 a.m., they proceeded to the National Assembly Complex to submit a memorandum to the Senate, urging lawmakers to prioritise the Reserved Seats Bill. Despite the National Assembly being in recess, the women’s resolve remained unshaken.
“Though the legislators are on break, Nigerian women remain determined to present their memorandum. This peaceful walk is a powerful symbol of our unity and unwavering quest to secure women’s rightful place in governance,” said Ebere Ifendu, Chairman of the WPP-TWG.
At noon, a high-level stakeholder and media engagement took place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, where advocates amplified their call for inclusive governance. The event saw over one million signatures submitted in support of the bill, a testament to its widespread backing. Ifendu emphasised the bill’s transformative potential, stating, “The Reserved Seats Bill is not just about numbers; it’s about securing women’s rightful place in governance and ensuring their voices are heard where decisions that impact their lives are made.”
The Special Seats Reserved for Women Bill (HB 1349 & SB 440) seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to create additional legislative seats exclusively for women in both the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly. If passed, the bill would add one woman-only seat in the Senate and House of Representatives for each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT, requiring a constitutional amendment that demands approval from two-thirds of the National Assembly and 24 state legislatures.
Nigeria’s political landscape remains heavily male-dominated, with women occupying only 4.4% of parliamentary seats. This positions the country 180th out of 185 globally in women’s political representation, according to the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC). This starkly contrasts with other countries, such as Rwanda, which leads the African continent with 61.3% female representation in its parliament. Senegal has also made significant strides, thanks to its effective quota systems that have boosted women’s participation.
In Nigeria’s National Assembly, the situation is even more concerning. Of the 109 seats in the Senate, only four are held by women, and in the House of Representatives, women occupy just 16 out of 360 seats. This is far below the 35% affirmative action target set by the National Gender Policy (NGP) in 2006. Despite this policy, the representation of women in Nigeria’s national legislature continues to fall short of expectations.
The contrast between Nigeria and countries like Rwanda underscores the need for effective mechanisms to boost women’s political participation. While Rwanda’s high representation is often attributed to its successful quota system, Senegal’s efforts have shown that such initiatives can lead to meaningful progress. These examples highlight that political will and institutional support are essential for increasing women’s political participation in Nigeria.
The World Economic Forum’s 2023 Global Gender Gap Report ranks Nigeria 125th out of 146 countries, indicating a significant gender disparity that hinders the country’s overall progress in achieving gender equality. In comparison, Nigeria lags behind several regional peers, such as Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa, which have made substantial strides in improving gender parity across various sectors, particularly in politics. This stark gap is evident in the country’s political landscape, where women make up approximately 48% of Nigeria’s registered voters, yet their representation in elective offices remains alarmingly low at just 4.43%.
The underrepresentation of women in political offices in Nigeria can be attributed to a complex set of systemic barriers. Cultural biases, political violence, and the high costs associated with political campaigns are some of the key factors limiting women’s access to political power. The high financial requirements for running successful political campaigns create significant obstacles for women, who often lack access to the financial networks that are readily available to their male counterparts.
As highlighted by Ayisha Osori, a Nigerian lawyer and former political candidate, the monetary nature of Nigerian elections makes it increasingly difficult for women to compete. She argues that elections in Nigeria are heavily monetized, making political office a pathway to wealth and power, with men typically having the financial advantage. In her commentary, Osori explains, “Elections in Nigeria are monetised and transactional, and women are already socially disadvantaged considering that in Nigeria, the fastest way to be rich is to be in government.”
This view is supported by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, which further emphasises that escalating campaign costs are exacerbating gender inequalities in Nigeria’s political system. As a result, women face a dual disadvantage: the gendered social structure that limits their access to political opportunities, and the escalating financial barriers that have transformed politics into a system that is increasingly beyond their reach.
“Women are dying from maternal mortality and other issues that require their voices to be heard. This bill is about development, about our children, and about the future,” said Dr. Ene Obi, former ActionAid Country Director, on behalf of the WPP-TWG.
The bill aligns with global commitments such as the Beijing Platform for Action and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which call for equal participation in decision-making. Countries like Rwanda and Senegal have successfully used quota systems to boost female representation, with Rwanda achieving over 60% women in parliament through constitutional mandates. In Nigeria, the bill’s passage could transform governance by ensuring women’s perspectives shape policies on critical issues like maternal health, where Nigeria accounts for over a quarter of global maternal deaths.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, described the bill as a “structural correction to systemic exclusion” and affirmed that gender balance in governance is “no longer negotiable.” Speaker Tajudeen Abbas echoed this sentiment, stating, “This is not for pity’s sake but a constitutional mechanism to ensure inclusion.” The bill has also garnered bipartisan support, with over 10 million Nigerians, state governors, and international partners like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) backing the initiative.
The march has sparked conversations across Nigeria about the role of women in governance. Abdullahi Yusuf, a resident of Abuja, expressed optimism about women’s leadership, stating, “If they give the women a chance, they will work better than men because women have a soft heart than men.” Similarly, Abdullahi Rabiat, a student, highlighted the bill’s potential to inspire young women: “I believe if women are given the opportunity to be in the House of Representatives or at the Senate, it will give we young girls hope that someday we will get there, and these women will serve as role models.” Another resident, Daniel, added, “If we are to put more women in power, it will be a chance to be taken because something new will happen, and I believe there will be great changes.”
These sentiments reflect a growing public appetite for gender-inclusive governance, particularly among younger Nigerians. Awodogan Idowu, an 18-year-old student who participated in the march, told Fairview, “I’ve seen many young women who really want to get involved in politics, but they feel that men are stronger and that they don’t stand a chance. By creating seats for them, we’re also opening a path for them.”
In the face of Nigeria’s economic challenges, including the ongoing generational cost-of-living crisis that began in 2023, critics have raised concerns about the potential financial burden of the proposed bill. Some argue that, given the country’s current economic situation, such a bill could be seen as an unnecessary expense.
However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed its readiness to implement the bill, should it be passed into law. Dorothy Bello Lukunuya, the Director of Gender and Inclusivity at INEC, assured that the Commission is prepared to move forward with the necessary steps to operationalize the bill. According to Lukunuya, “We believe that with the support internally from INEC and the pressure you are putting out there, the bill will be passed, and when it is passed into law, we in the Commission will not have a problem implementing it.”
If enacted, INEC’s role would encompass creating special constituencies for the new seats reserved for women, alongside conducting the necessary elections to fill these positions. Additionally, INEC will be responsible for a comprehensive voter education campaign to ensure the successful integration of the new seats into Nigeria’s political structure.
