Reps Push For Passage Of Women Reserved Seats Bill

The House of Representatives has urged its members to accord accelerated legislative priority to the Special Seats for Women Bill as a matter of urgent national importance.

The proposed legislation is one among the prioritised 44 Constitution Alteration Bills that the National Assembly had planned to vote on in December, 2025 but could not till date.

Adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Hon. Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi from Lagos at plenary on Thursday, the House asked all lawmakers to vote unequivocally in favour of the bill at every stage of legislative consideration.

Moving the motion, Onuakalusi reiterated that the proposed bill seeks to introduce constitutionally backed affirmative action to boost representation through the creation of additional seats for women in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly, as a temporary corrective mechanism.

He said similar models have been successfully implemented in countries such as Kenya – reserves 24 out of 80 seats in the lower house (Women make up 60% of Parliament, the highest in the world), South Africa – high representation through party quota system, Kenya – provides for 47 Women Representatives, among others.

The lawmaker recalled that
both the 9th and 10th National Assemblies considered similar constitutional amendment bills, which failed to secure the required two-thirds majority due largely to insufficient commitment, political will and consensus.

He expressed concern that “failure to take deliberate legislative action to address gender imbalance in political representation undermines Nigeria’s democratic credibility, weakens institutional legitimacy, and limits socio-economic development outcomes.”

Onuakalusi submitted that increasing women’s representation in governance leads to improved outcomes in healthcare, education, social welfare, and economic growth, thereby strengthening national cohesion and sustainable development.

The House upon adoption of the motion, mandated the relevant Committees on Constitutional Review, Women Affairs, and Electoral Matters to immediately harmonise and fast-track deliberations on the bill and report back within a defined legislative timeline.

It called on State Houses of Assembly to demonstrate equal commitment by preparing to expedite concurrence upon passage by the National Assembly in line with constitutional requirements.

The Green Chamber affirmed that the passage of the Special Seats for Women Bill is not merely a gender issue but a constitutional, developmental, and democratic necessity essential for equitable nation-building.

It also declared that failure to pass the bill perpetuates systemic exclusion and undermines Nigeria’s obligations under international and regional agreements.

The House further urged the Executive Arm of government to publicly support and provide political backing for the bill to ensure its successful passage and implementation.