Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has voiced strong support for the Special Seat Bill that proposes special seats for women in the National Assembly, urging Lawmakers to pass the Legislation to improve female participation in politics. She stressed the importance of gender equality in governance, calling for tangible steps to address the low representation of women in Nigeria’s political sphere.
The bill, introduced by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, aims to amend Section 48 and 49 of the Nigerian Constitution. It proposes that each state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) be allotted one dedicated seat for women in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Additionally the bill seeks to create three (3) special seats for women in each State House of Assembly.
Despite women comprising almost 50% of Nigeria’s population, their presence in political office is significantly limited.
In the 9th National Assembly, women account for only 4.47% of the legislative seats. This gap has fueled the call for constitutional amendments that would guarantee more equitable representation for women in the political process.
The Special Seat Bill is part of broader global efforts to promote women’s political inclusion, with other nations having already implemented similar gender quotas, also aims to boost women’s participation in decision-making, thereby enhancing the diversity and inclusivity of Nigeria’s democracy.
The First Lady’s endorsement of the bill brings additional attention and support to the movement for greater female representation in government.
As the National Assembly continues to deliberate, supporters of the bill remain hopeful that it will pass and contribute to advancing gender equality in Nigeria’s political landscape.
