Nigeria is under increasing pressure to improve the low level of female political representation, as the House of Representatives, alongside civil society organisations, advocates for the introduction of 182 constitutionally guaranteed seats for women in both federal and state legislatures.
At a strategic media briefing held in Abuja, the House of Representatives, the TOS Foundation, and the National Secretariat for the Reserved Seats for Women Bill Campaign Coalition highlighted the glaring contradiction between Nigeria’s claim as the “Giant of Africa” and its poor ranking—184th worldwide—in women’s parliamentary presence.
If approved during the upcoming constitutional amendment vote scheduled for December 16, the Reserved Seats for Women Bill would increase the total number of seats in the National Assembly to 543. This would include 74 new seats exclusively for women—split evenly between the Senate and House of Representatives—and an additional 108 seats set aside for women in State Houses of Assembly.
Hon. Akin Rotimi, the House spokesperson and a bill co-sponsor, described the initiative as a long-overdue step to address decades of systemic exclusion of women in politics.
“The era of inequality faced by Nigerian women must come to an end,” Rotimi stated, urging legislators to regard the reform as a necessary democratic correction rather than a political favour.
Chief Osasu Igbinedion Ogwuche, founder of the TOS Foundation and convener of the coalition, passionately emphasized Nigeria’s reputation is at stake.
“We cannot continue to brand ourselves as Africa’s Giant while performing dismally in women’s representation,” she declared, citing a recent conversation with the Speaker of South Sudan’s Parliament.
Despite women constituting 49% of Nigeria’s population and 47% of its registered voters, they hold less than 5% of elected positions—a statistic she called “an embarrassment.”
“Women have rebuilt war-torn nations; why are Nigerian women still struggling to claim a seat at the table?” she questioned.
She further called on the media to boost awareness of the bill, highlighting journalists’ crucial role in influencing public opinion and shaping policy.
During a technical briefing, Mr. Chidozie Aja, Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker, explained that even with the addition of 74 seats, women’s representation in Nigeria would rise to only 13.6%, which remains below international benchmarks.
He stressed that the reserved seats are not symbolic but a temporary corrective measure designed to address deep-rooted inequalities.
“These seats will expand, not replace, existing positions, and political parties will be required to nominate female candidates for these roles,” Aja noted.
The measure is proposed to last four election cycles (16 years), with amendments planned for multiple constitutional sections, including 48, 49, 71, 91, 117, and the updated Section 42, to enable Temporary Special Measures (TSM).
Addressing media responsibility, Mrs. Adaora Sidney-Jack of AIT urged journalists to report on the bill fairly and without gender bias.
“This is a policy matter, not a sensational story,” she remarked. “Reporting must be accurate, contextual, and respectful, avoiding headlines that undermine women’s leadership or perpetuate harmful stereotypes.”
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