Nigeria’s female representation in politics is stuck at a mere 3 percent in the Senate and 3.9 percent in the House of Representatives, according to Professor Drude Dahlerup, an international expert on gender electoral quotas.
Speaking at a webinar organised by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Dahlerup emphasised the need for urgent action to address this imbalance, noting the Special Seats Bill as a potential solution.
The bill proposes creating temporary additional legislative seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly, a move seen as crucial to bridging the country’s significant gender gap in politics.
Experts at the webinar, including Nigerian civil society organisations, legal experts, and international authorities called on the National Assembly to pass the Special Seats Bill, describing it as a vital democratic reform.
At a webinar convened by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) with support from the European Union and Inter-Parliamentary Union, speakers emphasized the bill’s growing momentum and urgency.
Executive Director of PLAC, Clement Nwankwo however confirmed a positive shift in attitude among lawmakers, suggesting that persistent advocacy is changing minds.
He shared a recent conversation with a Senator who was initially opposed to the bill.
“By the time we finished speaking, his question was, ‘in principle, this is not a bill anybody should object to… what would be the modalities?’” Nwankwo recounted,
He added that the goal is to reach as many of the 469 members of the National Assembly in the coming weeks.
Nwankwo emphasised that this growing momentum is the result of a broad advocacy, acknowledging efforts of numerous Nigerian advocacy groups and thanking international partners, including the EU, IPU, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), UNWomen, and the UNDP for their crucial support.
Alslo speaking, a consultant to the National Assembly on Constitutional Review, Prof. Joy Ezeilo (SAN), clearly pointed out the issue, saying Nigeria is seriously lagging behind, especially within the African continent.
“It’s been a Herculean task trying to achieve an inclusion in the Constitution that aligns with the international treaties Nigeria is obligated to implement,” she stated.
Also speaking on the issue while providing a compelling case study, Dr. Ali Al-Nuaimi of the United Arab Emirates Federal National Council shared how the UAE achieved near gender parity in its parliament (50 percent women) and cabinet (29 percent women).
He credited this success to strong leadership and a strategy of respectful dialogue with cultural and religious leaders, a model Nigerian advocates can adapt.
The experts acknowledged the legislative hurdles, as the bill requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers and approval by 24 State Assemblies, but argue that democratic progress cannot wait.
PLAC and partners said they will keep working to build consensus, emphasizing that the bill isn’t about taking away from men, but about creating a more inclusive Nigeria where everyone has a seat at the table.
PLAC Executive Director, while conducting the meeting, expressed optimism that their efforts would translate to real support for the Special Seats bill in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly in the coming weeks.
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