Female Lawmakers Advocate Creation of 182 Reserved Seats to Boost Women’s Representation

A new legislative push to create 182 reserved seats for women in Nigeria’s federal and state assemblies is gaining traction, as lawmakers and advocates urge broad national support for the initiative.

The Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara, called on Nigerians to back the bill, which seeks to boost female representation in political leadership. She emphasized that despite making up a significant portion of the population, women remain underrepresented in elected positions across the country.

“This bill is about more than just numbers, it’s about making sure women’s voices, experiences, and needs are reflected in policymaking,” she said during a media briefing in Abuja.

The proposal includes one additional seat per state, including the Federal Capital Territory, reserved for women in both chambers of the National Assembly. It also seeks to establish three extra seats for women in each state House of Assembly.

Ogbara described the initiative as a bold step toward a more inclusive democracy, aligned with global standards such as the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality. “Now is the time to remove the barriers that have long prevented women from participating fully in politics and governance,” she added.

Supporting the proposal, Senator Ireti Kingibe emphasized that increased women’s participation in politics would lead to more effective and sustainable national development. “This isn’t just about boosting representation, it’s about unlocking Nigeria’s full potential,” she said.

Representatives from development partners and civil society echoed the lawmakers’ sentiments. The UNDP Country Representative, Elsie Attafuah, described the bill as a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s democracy, noting that women currently occupy less than five percent of legislative seats.

Nikky Onyeri, Secretary-General of the Association of Women Traditional Title Holders in Nigeria, also voiced strong support for the proposal. “This bill is long overdue. We urge lawmakers and the executive to act swiftly, especially with the current administration’s openness to gender-inclusive governance,” she said.

Advocates argue that passing the bill will mark a critical step toward building a more equitable political landscape and empowering Nigerian women at all levels of leadership.