House Leadership Engages Nigerian Women on Special Parliamentary Seats Proposal
Constitutional Amendment for Gender Inclusion Takes Center Stage
The leadership of Nigeria’s House of Representatives held a crucial dialogue with women’s representatives on Wednesday, focusing on the proposed creation of special parliamentary seats for women. The session, chaired by House Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, formed part of the ongoing 2025 National Assembly Open Week initiative.
Speaker’s Commitment to Gender-Inclusive Governance
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen had earlier reaffirmed the 10th Assembly’s commitment to constitutional amendments that would establish reserved seats for women during the Open Week’s opening ceremony. The Speaker, a vocal supporter of the He4She campaign, outlined specific proposals:
“Under the draft amendment, ten percent of seats in both the Senate and the House of Representatives would be set aside for women,” Speaker Tajudeen explained. “These seats would be filled through direct elections on separate ballots, with staggered terms to promote continuity and mentorship.”
The proposal also includes provisions for persons with disabilities, allocating five percent of parliamentary seats to be filled through nominations by accredited disability advocacy organizations.
First Lady Advocates for Women’s Political Participation
First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, represented by Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, Chair of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Development, emphasized that women’s inclusion in governance goes beyond symbolic representation.
“Giving women a seat at the table is not about charity,” she stated. “It’s about recognizing competence, diversity of experience, and the unique perspectives women bring to leadership.”
The First Lady noted the timeliness of the discussion, coinciding with nationwide public hearings on constitutional reforms. She highlighted Nigeria’s democratic deficit in gender representation, pointing out that women remain significantly underrepresented despite comprising nearly half the population.
Stakeholders Rally Behind the Initiative
House Leader Prof. Ihonvbere reiterated the legislature’s determination to see the amendments through, calling for broad stakeholder support. The session attracted prominent women leaders including:
- Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele FNSE, Deputy Governor of Ogun State
- Hon. Lami Danladi, Deputy Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly
- Representatives from various women’s groups and civil society organizations
Participants overwhelmingly commended Speaker Abbas and the 10th House for initiating the gender inclusion dialogue, recognizing it as a significant step toward more representative governance.
The Road Ahead for Gender Parity in Nigerian Politics
The proposed constitutional amendment represents a potential watershed moment for women’s political participation in Nigeria. If implemented, the reserved seats system could dramatically increase female representation in the National Assembly, where women currently hold less than 5% of legislative seats.
The First Lady pledged continued support for women’s political empowerment initiatives while urging lawmakers to approach the issue with open minds. The success of the proposal will depend on securing broad-based political support during the constitutional amendment process, which requires approval from two-thirds of state legislatures.
As Nigeria continues its democratic evolution, this initiative signals growing recognition that gender-balanced representation strengthens governance and accelerates national development.
Credit: Dateline Nigeria