The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, have thrown their weight behind the Reserved Seats Bill, aimed at increasing women’s representation in Nigeria’s legislature.
The bill is currently being championed by lawmakers and gender advocates.
At the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, Abuja Branch, 2025 Law Week, Akpabio and Kalu emphasised the importance of women’s participation in governance.
Akpabio, represented by Senator Idiat Oluranti, said, “A balanced government is a stronger government. No nation rises without its women.”
He added that reserving seats for women is “a task that must be done—and will be done.”
Kalu highlighted the stark reality of women’s underrepresentation in Nigeria’s National Assembly, citing statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). He noted that women make up 49.43% of the population but occupy fewer than 5% of seats in the National Assembly.
“When women are absent from the legislature, perspectives disappear, conversations narrow, and our laws lose the balance democracy requires,” he said.
The Reserved Seats Bill (HB 1349), sponsored by Kalu, aims to address the systemic barriers that have hindered women’s participation in governance.
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The bill is expected to have a significant impact on promoting women’s leadership and representation in Nigeria.
The Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to advancing women’s rights and leadership.
The UK Deputy High Commissioner, Gill Lever, and Swiss Ambassador Patrick Egloff also expressed their support for the bill, emphasizing the importance of women’s participation in governance for a prosperous society.
The bill is being reviewed, with ongoing public hearings and nationwide consultations. The outcome is expected to have a significant impact on the future of women’s representation in Nigeria’s legislature.
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