Lawmakers, UN, push reserved seats bill to boost women’s political representation

Support is mounting for a proposed legislation that would reserve parliamentary seats for women in Nigeria, as more lawmakers, the UN Development Programme, and activists push for the passage of the reserved seat bill.

The bill, is part of proposals in the ongoing constitution ammendment in the National Assembly. It aims to provide a specific number of seats for women in the National and State Assemblies by creating 182 additional legislative seats.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Tuesday pledged the support of the UNDP to ensure the bill’s success. Elsie Attafuah, country Representative, UNDP, speaking during a press briefing at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja commended the leadership of the 10th National Assembly for championing the bill.

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According to Attafuah, this is not just a proposal; it is a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic evolution. She highlighted the leadership and resilience of Nigerian women across all sectors, including the Super Falcons, champions of the last Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Attafuah, noted that women currently hold less than 5% of legislative seats in Nigeria, a disparity she described as a call to dismantle systemic barriers and foster inclusive governance.

Kafilat Ogbara, Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development also decried the low representation of women in governance, particularly in the legislature, despite women constituting nearly half of the nation’s population.

“I urge all stakeholders, government officials, civil society organisations (CSOs), and citizens at large to rally behind this crucial bill. It is time to dismantle the barriers that have historically hindered women’s participation in politics and governance”, she said.

Ogbara added that the bill is not merely a legislative effort, but a bold commitment toward building a more inclusive democracy.

According to her, the bill proposes one additional seat per state, including the FCT, to be reserved for women in both chambers of the National Assembly. It also recommends three additional reserved seats for women in each State House of Assembly.

She noted that the bill includes provisions to ensure the participation of women from diverse backgrounds, including young women, women with disabilities, and those from marginalized communities.

“This bill is not just about increasing numbers it’s about ensuring that women’s perspectives, needs, and rights are reflected in policymaking. It aligns with international obligations like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5 on gender equality,” she added.

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In her remarks, Ireti Kingibe , Senator representing FCT, urged women to mobilise both among themselves and with male allies to push for the bill’s passage. Kingibe also pointed out that Nigeria often finds itself at a disadvantage in international legislative fora due to its poor representation of women.

“This bill is not just about more women in parliament it is about unlocking the full potential of our country for faster, more sustainable development,” she said.

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