A coalition of female lawmakers in Nigeria’s National Assembly is championing a bill seeking to reserve 182 legislative seats exclusively for women. The proposed legislation aims to address the persistent gender imbalance in Nigeria’s political landscape and promote greater inclusion of women in governance.
The bill, which has already been introduced in both chambers of the National Assembly, proposes specific seats at the federal and state levels to be allocated solely to female candidates. According to the sponsors, this affirmative action is necessary to create a level playing field and boost female representation in Nigerian politics.
Honourable Taiwo Oluga, one of the leading voices behind the bill, emphasized that women continue to face significant cultural, financial, and structural barriers in politics. She noted that the bill would provide the necessary platform for women to contribute meaningfully to national development through policymaking.
The lawmakers urged their male counterparts to support the bill, stressing that inclusive governance benefits the entire country. If passed, the bill will mark a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward gender equity in political representation.
