Nigeria‘s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has backed the seat reservation bill for women in the legislature and urged members of the National Assembly to pass the proposed legislation into law expeditiously.
Speaking at the Art for Governance Exhibition, organised by the Office of the Deputy Speaker in conjunction with ElectHER, an advocacy group for women’s empowerment in Abuja, on Monday night, Senator Tinubu stressed the importance of women’s leadership in shaping the country’s future.
Represented by the wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Fatima Tajudeen Abbas, said there was an urgent need for more excellent female representation in leadership and decision-making processes.
“The artworks being displayed today serve not only for a Nigeria where political leadership is genuinely inclusive and reflective of its people. The emphasis on affirmative action bills is essential to amplifying the message of inclusion contained in this exhibition. Women constitute a vital part of our nation‘s progress, yet their representation in governance remains limited.
„Ensuring that women have a stronger voice in shaping policies, making decisions and driving national development is not just a matter of justice; it is necessary for stable growth. Therefore, I support the affirmative action bill that mandates that women occupy at least 35 per cent of seats in the legislative and executive arms.
„I urge the National Assembly to expedite the passage of the bill. I am committed to supporting initiatives that promote gender inclusion, women and nation-building. This has been my mission as first lady of Lagos, as a senator and now as the first lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I firmly believe in the importance of women‘s voices in governance. I urge my former colleagues, the civil society organisation and the public to embrace the exhibition‘s message and collaborate to ensure women‘s voices are heard“.
In his remarks, Deputy Speaker Kalu decried the under-representation of women in governance. Hence, he sponsored the bill before the National Assembly to address the challenge.
„Today, we wield the transformative power to address one of the most pressing issues in Nigeria’s democracy: the systemic underrepresentation of women in governance. We see the struggles, the resilience, and the undeniable strength of women who have fought to lead, only to be met with barriers. But barriers can be broken. That is why this exhibition is not just a cultural moment—it is an advocacy tool, a visual argument, a movement in motion.
„The Art for Governance exhibition is anchored on a pivotal legislative effort: The Constitution (Alteration) Bill, 2024—popularly known as the Additional Seats Bill. This bill is not just about numbers or political arithmetic but about justice. As we push for its passage in the 10th Assembly, we recognise that legislative success is not achieved through legal arguments alone. Still, through the mobilisation of hearts and minds, this exhibition does precisely that.
Also speaking, Ibijoke Faborode, the Chief Executive Officer of ElectHER and Lead Curator of the Art for Governance Exhibition, highlighted the importance of gender-inclusive governance in fostering stronger democratic institutions, improved policy outcomes, and broader socio-economic growth.
„Nigeria, Africa’s largest democracy, has one of the lowest rates of female political representation on the continent. With women comprising nearly 50% of the population but less than 4% of the National Assembly, the under-representation of women in governance remains a critical challenge to achieving inclusive democracy and sustainable development.
„As Nigeria moves toward the 2027 elections, bold legislative reforms like the Reserved Seats Bill can be a game changer for socio-economic transformation. We are building the momentum needed to mainstream the Reserved Seats Bill, shift public discourse, and drive its passage. This is not just about a policy change. It is about reshaping Nigeria’s democratic landscape to reflect the full strength of its people,“ she said.
