Leading voices from civil society, women’s rights groups, and political stakeholders, have confirmed that both arms of the National Assembly have thrown their full weight behind the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, signaling a historic moment in the nation’s democratic evolution.
Convener of the campaign and Chief Executive Officer of TOS Group, Osasu Igbinedion-Ogwuche, made this known while addressing a high-level press conference organised on Monday in Abuja with the theme “A New Chapter for Nigeria: Advancing Women’s Political Representation”.
She noted that the Reserved Seats for Women Bill was not just a policy, but pivotal to increase female representation in Nigeria’s political leadership.
The bill, which seeks to constitutionally allocate additional legislative seats for women, has gained bipartisan endorsements across the bicameral federal legislature, backed not just by rhetoric but concrete actions.
“For the first time in Nigeria’s history, we have formal endorsements from the Senate President, the Speaker of the House, and bipartisan leadership in both chambers. This high-level support is not symbolic, it is structural. It is a clear signal that this country is ready to walk the talk on gender inclusion,” said Igbinedion-Ogwuche.
According to her, over 10 million Nigerians, spanning all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have galvanised behind the bill through a grassroots coalition hailed as the largest bipartisan movement ever mobilised around a single constitution reform in the nation.
The bill, which has passed crucial legislative milestones, including zonal public hearings and committee reviews, was now set for its third and final reading in October. If approved, it will proceed to the State Assemblies before landing on the desk of President Bola Tinubu for assent.
“This is not just a vote on a bill, It is a vote on the soul of our democracy. A choice between politics of exclusion and a politics of equity,” she declared.
The Reserved Seats for Women Bill proposes 74 new seats in the National Assembly and 108 across the 36 state houses of assembly, dedicated solely to women. The move was expected to raise female representation from under 5% at the federal level to a more meaningful figure that reflects the country’s demographic reality where women make up 52% of the population.
“Some people ask if this bill undermines merit. But what merit exists in a system that structurally excludes women? This isn’t about handouts. It’s about correcting a centuries-old imbalance and enabling smarter, inclusive governance,” she stated.
The initiative also received strong backing from male allies, signalling a shift in political culture. “This is the first time men are actively and openly championing a gender bill in this country,” said one male advocate. “We’re not just whispering support in our bedrooms. We are taking a stand in the open because it’s about equity, not politics.”
The campaign’s momentum is anchored in a coordinated advocacy effort involving the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum, and women-led grassroots networks operating in every state.
Beyond Abuja’s echo chambers, the bill has found resonance in Nigeria’s heartlands. Women leaders emphasized that the Reserved Seats initiative is not exclusive to political elites.
“This bill is for the farmer in Kogi, the trader in Onitsha, the market woman in Kano,” said one regional coordinator. “We’ve held sensitization walks with the Market Women’s Association of Nigeria, and many of them said: When this bill passes, I will run. That’s the empowerment we’re fighting for.”
The bill’s proponents argue that increased female political participation will lead to better development outcomes in areas like health, education, security, and economic inclusion.
“We cannot continue to govern with only one wheel,” a speaker noted. “When you leave women behind, you leave half the nation’s intellect, empathy, and innovation behind.”
Another advocate drew attention to the modest fiscal impact of the bill. “These additional seats will only increase the national budget by 1%,” she said. “And that’s a small price to pay for the economic dividends of inclusive governance.”
The bill’s supporters emphasized that its passage would mark a departure from the repeated failures of past gender bills. Unlike the five gender-related constitutional amendments that were rejected in the last National Assembly, this campaign is taking no chances.
“What’s different this time is our multi-tiered strategy. We’re advocating simultaneously at the federal, state, and local government levels to ensure understanding and support,”
The campaign has also emphasized education and messaging clarity, using accessible language to engage communities across religious, cultural, and social lines.
“This is not a bill for Abuja women,” said a grassroots mobilizer. “It’s a bill for every woman who has ever been told to sit back while decisions about her future are made without her.”
As the October vote nears, all eyes are now on President Tinubu, who advocates believe has a golden opportunity to cement his legacy as a champion of inclusive governance.
“When this bill reaches your desk, Mr. President,” Ogwuche urged, “sign it—not just with ink, but with vision. Let your signature become a symbol of justice, inclusion, and the full dignity of every Nigerian.”
The message from the campaign is clear: Nigeria must rise with her women. And with legislative support now secured from both chambers, the path to a more inclusive democracy is finally within reach.
“This is no longer a dream,” Ogwuche said in closing. “It’s a blueprint. We have built the structure. We have lit the fire. Now, let us walk boldly into a future where women rise and Nigeria rises with
