The Nigerian National Assembly has expressed support for the Reserved Seats Bill, aimed at increasing women’s participation in political leadership. Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu endorsed the bill, describing it as crucial for advancing gender equality and meaningful representation of women in legislative decisions.
The assurance came during the 2025 law week of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Nigeria, Abuja Branch. The event’s theme, “Advancing Women’s Representation: Reserved Seats and the Future of Nigeria’s Legislature,” reflects the association’s commitment to gender equality and inclusiveness.
Akpabio, represented by Senator Idiat Oluranti, emphasized the importance of recognizing women’s strength and potential. He recalled his mother’s influence on his upbringing, highlighting the values of dignity, discipline, resilience, faith, and sacred truth. Akpabio stressed that promoting gender equality is a moral duty and a policy imperative.
Deputy Speaker Kalu noted that Nigeria’s representation is skewed against women, with females holding less than 5% of seats in the National Assembly. This ranks the country 178th out of 182 globally. Kalu sponsored the Reserved Seats Bill (HB 1349) to address this structural imbalance, which he believes has real consequences for governance, development, and national cohesion.
The bill aims to provide a temporary constitutional remedy to the systemic barriers that limit women’s access to elected office. Kalu estimates that implementing the framework will cost less than 1% of the National Assembly’s annual budget, a small investment for a major democratic correction. He cited global estimates that closing gender gaps could unlock $28 trillion by 2030, translating to billions in productivity, innovation, and national growth for Nigeria.
The 10th House of Representatives has placed inclusion at the center of its legislative mission, expanding participation, strengthening equity, and building institutions that reflect the aspirations of all Nigerians. Kalu encouraged stakeholders to engage with the Constitution Review Committee, ensuring that the Constitution is truly representative of the people. With the Reserved Seats Bill pending, the National Assembly’s leadership has assured that due considerations will be given to the proposal, bringing Nigeria closer to equitable representation.
