Reps push for fast-track passage of women’s special seats bill
The House of Representatives on Thursday called for the expeditious passage of the bill seeking to create special seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly, aimed
The House of Representatives on Thursday called for the expeditious passage of the bill seeking to create special seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly, aimed at ensuring equitable representation in legislative bodies.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, who urged lawmakers to prioritise the bill and secure the constitutionally required two-thirds majority in both chambers of the National Assembly.
The House directed its relevant committees, including those on Constitutional Review, Women Affairs, and Electoral Matters, to harmonise and fast-track deliberations on the bill and report back within a defined legislative timeframe. Lawmakers were also urged to support the bill at every stage of consideration.
In addition, the House appealed to state Houses of Assembly to prepare for prompt concurrence once the bill is passed at the federal level, in line with constitutional provisions.
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It also pledged to engage civil society organisations, traditional institutions, and the media to build public awareness and national consensus in support of the legislation.
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Lawmakers emphasised that the bill is not solely a gender issue but a constitutional and developmental imperative, noting that failure to pass it would sustain systemic exclusion and weaken Nigeria’s commitments under international and regional agreements.
The House further called for the institutionalisation of affirmative action as a transitional measure to address historical and structural barriers faced by women in politics, while urging the executive arm to provide political backing for the bill.
It also resolved to maintain legislative oversight to ensure effective implementation upon passage.
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Leading the debate, Onuakalusi said the bill presents a critical opportunity to correct longstanding gender imbalance in Nigeria’s political system and strengthen democratic inclusion.
He noted that although women constitute nearly half of the country’s population and contribute significantly to national development, their representation in elective positions remains below five per cent, among the lowest globally.
According to him, this imbalance undermines inclusive governance and deprives policymaking of diversity and balance.
He said the proposed Special Seats for Women Bill seeks to introduce constitutionally backed affirmative action to boost representation through the creation of additional seats for women in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly, as a temporary corrective mechanism.
He said similar models have been successfully implemented in countries such as Kenya – reserves 24 out of 80 seats in the lower house (Women make up 60% of Parliament, the highest in the world), South Africa – high representation through party quota system, Kenya – provides for 47 Women Representatives, Burundi – Constitution mandates a minimum of 30% women Representation, South Sudan – uses a quota system ensuring at least 35% representation for Women and Uganda – each district elects a woman representative, leading to significant improvements in women’s political participation and inclusive governance.
He drew attention to the fact that Nigeria is a signatory to international frameworks such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Maputo Protocol, as well as regional commitments under the ECOWAS Gender Policy and the African Union Agenda 2063, all of which advocate affirmative action to enhance women’s participation in governance.
He maintained that failure to take deliberate legislative action to address gender imbalance in political representation undermines Nigeria’s democratic credibility, weakens institutional legitimacy, and limits socio-economic development outcomes, adding that increasing women’s representation in governance leads to improved outcomes in healthcare, education, social welfare, and economic growth, thereby strengthening national cohesion and sustainable development.
