Reps Mull 10% Reserved Legislative Seats For Women

The House of Representatives is considering a proposed legislation to reserve 10 per cent of seats in both chambers of the National Assembly for women and 5 per cent for people living with disabilities.

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen who disclosed this at the second edition of NASS Open Week in Abuja on Tuesday said those seats would be filled through direct elections on separate ballots, with staggered terms to promote continuity and mentorship.

Abbas said the reserved-seat representatives would enjoy the same rights, privileges, and committee assignments as their peers, reinforcing their full integration into legislative work.

“A central feature of our inclusive governance proposals is the introduction of constitutionally guaranteed reserved seats for women and persons with disabilities.

“Under the draft amendment, 10% of seats in both the Senate and the House of Representatives would be set aside for women, apportioned by state to ensure regional balance.

“Five per cent (5%) of seats would be reserved for persons with disabilities, with candidates nominated by accredited disability advocacy organisations,” Abbas said.

He added that historical data underscores the urgency of this reform. “At independence in 1960, women occupied less than one per cent of seats in the National Assembly. By 1990, their share rose only to two per cent. With the restoration of democracy in 1999, women held 3.9 per cent of House seats and four per cent of Senate seats. Today, despite constituting half the population, women’s representation has barely moved beyond these levels.”

Citing international experience, the Speaker noted the impact the quotas can have. “Rwanda and Senegal utilised constitutional provisions to increase female representation from under 5% to over 30% in a single cycle. South Africa’s voluntary party quota has delivered steady gains, though its success depends on enforcement. By embedding reserved seats into our Constitution, we will break the cycle of stagnation,” he said.

Abbas said the House had, in its first two sessions, introduced 2,263 bills out of which 1,478 passed through second reading, 135 awaiting further consideration and 339 referred to standing committees while five bills were negatived, reflecting rigorous legislative debate.

He said the House passed 237 bills and forwarded them for presidential assent of which 55 have been signed into law, including the Tax Reform Laws, the Electricity Act (Amendment) 2023, Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act 2024, the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Act, among others.

“Our use of motions has increased in tandem with our legislative output. Members sponsored 1,100 motions in two years, over 36 per cent of which addressed matters of urgent public importance. These motions have triggered swift executive action on flood disasters, public health emergencies, and citizen grievances,” he stressed.

The Speaker added that oversight has been a fundamental part of the Green Chamber’s work with committees holding over 1,000 meetings and visiting more than 300 sites in June, 2025.

“They monitored over 200 ministries, departments, and agencies. Our committees carefully examined policies and spending to ensure they align with the expectations of the people.

“This House truly serves as the people’s tribunal. Through the Committee on Public Petitions, we received 621 petitions from citizens on wrongful terminations, rights violations and other grievances. Twenty-four petitions have been fully treated, with reports ready. Thirty were dismissed for lack of merit. The remaining 567 are at various stages of the hearing and investigation process. Some have reached the floor for debate and recommendations, showing that no plea is too small for this institution,” Abbas said.

On constitutional reform, he said Reps were considering 109 amendment bills across various sectors, including electoral, judicial, legislative, and inclusive governance. “Twelve electoral reform bills address the scheduling of all general elections on a single day, establish independent candidacy, and create a dedicated commission for local government elections. Judicial reforms encompass 21 bills designed to streamline appellate processes and strengthen judicial independence.”

In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio reaffirmed the Red Chamber’s commitment to acting swiftly on bills passed by the House through accelerated concurrence.

Recall that the House last week resolved to step down forthwith, all bills transmitted from the Senate to the Green Chamber for concurrence because of the undue delay of about 146 bills transmitted to the Red Chamber for necessary action.

However, Akpabio assured the House of Senate’s respect for the legislative efforts of the Green chamber.

“We take you seriously,” he said, noting that six of the House’s bills have already been passed by the Senate, while four more were being considered on the same day.

“You are doing a remarkable job. The Senate will dedicate the next two weeks to addressing all outstanding House bills to ensure more can be transmitted in the interest of Nigerians,” he assured.

The Senate President commended Legislative Open Week idea, describing it as a vital platform for citizens to understand the responsibilities of lawmakers and engage constructively with the parliament.

“Many Nigerians mistakenly believe that lawmakers are responsible for building roads or offering jobs. The truth is, our core duties are representation, oversight, and lawmaking,” Akpabio said.

Also, a former Speaker of the House and Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila acknowledged that the National Assembly has worked to facilitate the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda through timely confirmation of political appointees, effective scrutiny and passage of budget proposals, among others.

“Since His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office in 2023, the National Assembly has proven itself a worthy “partner in daring,” as the President likes to say.

“Just about two weeks ago, after exhaustive work by the National Assembly, Mr President signed into law a slate of tax reform bills that promise to change the fiscal and monetary policy framework in the country for the better and for good. I thank you all most sincerely for continuing to be the partners in nation building.”

He urged lawmakers to continue in this regard, assuring that the President will always hold them in the highest regard and will, in every way possible, continue to support the legislature to be the best version of itself.