Female legislators in Nigeria have been called upon to take the lead in advocating for the passage of the Special Seats Bill, which seeks to improve women’s representation in governance.
The call was made by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, during a dinner hosted in Abuja by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), the European Union, and the Nigerian House of Representatives.
Speaking to female lawmakers from across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and heads of national women-focused agencies, Kalu stressed the importance of grassroots lobbying. “The bulk of the work lies with you, women. Your first step should be engaging your senators and representatives educate them about the Special Seats Bill, as I have done with you today,” he said.
He encouraged strategic engagement, including hosting lawmakers and building goodwill to garner support. “Make them feel supported host dinners, offer gifts. Once this movement builds momentum at the state level, legislators will better understand it. Right now, many feel threatened by the bill due to a lack of awareness,” Kalu added. “Assure them you’re not taking existing seats, but seeking additional ones for balanced representation.”
PLAC Executive Director, Mr. Clement Nwankwo, underscored the bill’s significance, describing it as potentially the most impactful constitutional amendment since Nigeria’s independence. He decried the current imbalance where women, who make up 50% of the population, account for only 4% of representation in governance.
Head of the EU delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, added that the bill was not only about women’s rights, but a move toward better governance. “This is not a favour to women—it benefits all Nigerians. It’s about improving democracy and development,” he said, urging women to engage the men in their lives to build support for the bill.
Chairperson of the Female Assembly Members group, Kafilat Adetola, said the lawmakers will adopt a practical advocacy strategy, taking cues from Ekiti State, which leads in female representation at both state and governance levels.
The proposed Special Seats Bill seeks to create one additional seat for women in each senatorial district and federal constituency. These special seats would be contested during general elections and would not alter existing constituency structures. The provision would remain in effect for four election cycles (16 years), after which it would be reviewed.
