Abuja: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has declared that the long-standing issue of women’s underrepresentation in Nigerian politics is set to be resolved through collective action and legislative reforms aimed at achieving leadership parity across the nation. Abbas, represented by Kafilat Ogbara, a Member of the House for Kosofe Federal Constituency, made this commitment during the ninth Voice of Women Conference and Awards (VOW2025) held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the speaker underscored the efforts of lawmakers who are actively engaging their colleagues both in Abuja and in their constituencies to emphasize the urgency of addressing this issue. He highlighted that a proposed bill aims to introduce 37 additional seats for women in the National Assembly, with three seats allocated per senatorial district, as a measure to correct the existing structural imbalance.
The initiative is complemented by grassroots mobilization efforts involving party leaders, traditional rulers, and community leaders, all working towards reversing decades of gender exclusion in governance. Abbas also commended President Tinubu’s gender-sensitive approach, particularly his support for his wife’s political role and his Renewed Hope Agenda, which promises that no woman will be left behind.
President Bola Tinubu, through Minister of Women Affairs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, emphasized the critical role of women’s voices in national progress. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to empowering women as protectors of families, drivers of innovation, and integral contributors to the nation’s economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted the importance of collective action in increasing political representation for Nigerian women, pointing out the current underrepresentation, with women holding less than six percent of National Assembly seats. She stressed that this is far below global benchmarks, with the African Union targeting 50 percent gender parity and the global average at 26.5 percent.
She argued that the Reserved Seats Bill is a matter of justice and strategic necessity, aimed at ensuring a more inclusive democracy and unlocking the full potential of women in governance. If passed, it would align Nigeria with international best practices and significantly boost national development by empowering the underrepresented half of the population.
The Minister praised the 10th National Assembly for their support of the bill, noting that their backing demonstrates political courage and a commitment to correcting historical imbalances in Nigeria’s democratic framework. She emphasized that passing the bill would send a strong message both domestically and internationally about Nigeria’s dedication to inclusive governance.
Former South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka also spoke at the conference, urging women to support each other not just verbally but through financial contributions to enhance political participation. Conference convener Toun Okewale-Sonaiya described VOW2025 as a pivotal platform for shaping Nigeria’s future through women’s voices, stressing the necessity of closing the gender gap in political representation.
Okewale-Sonaiya called upon the President and National Assembly to ensure the passage of the Reserved Seats Bill, emphasizing its importance for Nigeria’s democratic integrity, gender balance, and global reputation. She urged women to advocate more strongly, underscoring that their support could leave a lasting legacy and position the current government and legislature as champions of women’s rights.