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By Chioma Favour
A coalition of concerned Nigerian citizens has formally petitioned members of the National Assembly, calling for the urgent passage of the Special Seats for Women Bill aimed at improving gender inclusion in governance.
In the petition dated March 23, 2026, the signatories expressed concern over the persistent underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s political space, noting that female participation in elective positions remains below five percent across federal, state, and local government levels.
The petition highlighted that despite women constituting nearly half of the country’s population and contributing significantly to national development, they continue to face systemic barriers to political participation.
According to the petitioners, the proposed bill seeks to amend the Constitution to create additional legislative seats reserved for women in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly, describing it as a necessary affirmative action to correct longstanding imbalances.
They referenced similar models adopted in African countries such as Rwanda, South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda, where special seat arrangements have significantly improved women’s representation in governance.
The petition also recalled that previous attempts by the 9th and 10th National Assemblies to pass similar constitutional amendments failed due to insufficient political support.
The group urged lawmakers to demonstrate political will by sponsoring and supporting the bill, mobilizing colleagues to secure the required two-thirds majority, and rejecting any efforts to delay or weaken the legislation.
They further argued that Nigeria’s commitment to international agreements, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Maputo Protocol, makes it imperative to adopt measures that promote women’s political inclusion.
The petitioners emphasized that increased female representation in governance is linked to improved outcomes in education, healthcare, and economic development, while also strengthening democratic legitimacy and national unity.
They called on lawmakers to use their influence to ensure the bill’s passage and to prioritize it as a matter of urgent national importance.
