Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has expressed strong support for the proposed bill to reserve legislative seats for women, urging the National Assembly to pass it without delay. She made this appeal while speaking at the Art for Governance Exhibition in Abuja, an event organized by the Office of the Deputy Speaker in collaboration with ElectHER, an advocacy group for women’s empowerment. Represented by Fatima Tajudeen Abbas, wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tinubu emphasized the need for greater female representation in decision-making processes.
She highlighted the significance of women’s participation in governance, noting that despite their crucial role in national development, they remain underrepresented in leadership positions. The First Lady reiterated her commitment to gender inclusion, advocating for the affirmative action bill that mandates women to occupy at least 35% of seats in the legislative and executive arms of government. She called on lawmakers, civil society organizations, and the public to support the initiative, stating that inclusive leadership is essential for national stability and growth.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, in his remarks, decried the persistent underrepresentation of women in governance, stressing the need for urgent reforms. He reaffirmed his sponsorship of the Constitution (Alteration) Bill, 2024, also known as the Additional Seats Bill, which aims to address the gender imbalance in Nigeria’s political space. Kalu described the Art for Governance Exhibition as more than just a cultural event, calling it a powerful advocacy tool designed to push for legislative reforms that promote inclusivity.
According to Kalu, the success of the proposed bill depends not only on legal arguments but also on collective efforts to shift public opinion and mobilize support. He emphasized that the bill is not merely about numbers but about ensuring fairness and justice in governance. As the 10th Assembly debates the bill, he urged Nigerians to recognize the importance of legislative measures that foster gender-balanced representation.
Speaking at the event, Ibijoke Faborode, Chief Executive Officer of ElectHER and Lead Curator of the exhibition, underscored the need for gender-inclusive governance to strengthen democratic institutions and improve policy outcomes. She noted that Nigeria, despite being Africa’s largest democracy, has one of the continent’s lowest rates of female political representation. With women making up nearly 50% of the population but holding less than 4% of National Assembly seats, she described the situation as a major obstacle to achieving sustainable development.
Faborode further emphasized that as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, legislative reforms such as the Reserved Seats Bill could be transformative for the country’s socio-economic landscape. She expressed confidence that sustained advocacy and public engagement would help drive the bill’s passage, ensuring that Nigeria’s democracy becomes more reflective of its diverse population.
