By Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye
For decades, Nigerian women have fought for a fair share of political representation, demanding special seats in the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly. The journey has been long and fraught with setbacks.
Senator Biodun Olujimi, who represented Ekiti South in the 8th National Assembly, had a bitter experience in 2021 when she was urged to withdraw the Special Seats Bill she sponsored. Some colleagues opposed it on socio-cultural and religious grounds, stalling the bill’s progress despite its promise to motivate women to aspire and reach their full potential.
The bill resurfaced in the 9th Assembly, championed by then Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Nkiru Onyejiocha, but again failed to pass. Now, in the 10th Assembly, the bill is back with renewed vigor, buoyed by a powerful coalition of women in media, civil society and political leadership.
The recent “Fit for Inclusion” programme held in Abuja on June 21, 2025, organized by the Women in Media Development Initiative (WIMDI), in collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Gender Strategy Advancement International (GSAI) and TOS Group was a landmark event aimed at empowering women in media through wellness and advocacy to amplify their voices in support of this historic bill.
The “Fit for Inclusion” event was more than just a conference, it was a celebration of sisterhood, resilience and determination. Nigerian female media professionals gathered to recharge their spirits through aerobics, stretches, dance, yoga and networking, all culminating in a passionate discussion on the Special Seats Bill.
The bill proposes the creation of additional legislative seats specifically reserved for women in the Senate, House of Representatives, and House of Assembly, aiming to correct the glaring gender imbalance in Nigerian politics.
Vice president of NAWOJ, Chizoba Ogbeche, explained the urgency of affirmative action: “For us to get affirmative action, which is 35%, we need that percentage of women in both elective and appointed positions. But in Nigeria, we have about 6%. You can imagine, men have 94%, women only 6%. That’s an imbalance. It’s discrimination.”
Ogbeche highlighted the lessons learned from past failures: “The bill was thrown out in the last assembly because we didn’t engage the people enough. Legislators come from constituencies; if their people don’t support the bill, they won’t vote for it. So now, the campaign starts from the grassroots, bottom-up, engaging traditional rulers and community leaders to speak in support.”
She emphasized the bill’s design: “The bill seeks one special seat in the Senate, one in the House of Representatives, and three in the House of Assembly in every state. This requires a constitutional amendment because the number of seats is specified in the constitution. Some say it’s ‘women’s seats’ given for free, but it’s not. It’s a quota to balance an existing imbalance.”
Ogbeche also addressed misconceptions: “The funding for these seats is less than 1% of our budget. Women make up almost half the population; if something is important to half your population, it should be important to everybody.”
Executive Director of GSAI, Adora Sydney-Jack, reminded attendees that politics is unavoidable in the quest for change. “There is nothing that can be done without politics. Lawmaking, leadership – it’s all politics,” she said.
She painted a stark picture of the current legislature: “Look at the National Assembly’s plenary hall – it’s all male. Imagine the conversations about women’s issues happening in that space. It’s unlikely pro-women bills will pass without women’s presence.”
Sydney-Jack urged women to become politically savvy: “This bill is not just for women; it benefits everyone. More women in parliament mean better public health, reduced maternal mortality, inclusive economy, and more women in appointive positions. But we need women who understand their right to vote and be voted for, who are politically aligned.”
She challenged women to break barriers: “Some of you are above 18, educated, capable of leadership. This bill opens the door for women with disabilities, young women, and civil society actors. We must redefine politics and get involved. You can’t fix politics from outside; you must be in the room.”
Sydney-Jack also highlighted the power of collective action: “Imagine if 10 million women said, ‘We will not vote for you until you pass this bill.’ That’s negotiating power. We need that kind of energy. Women have the currency and temerity today, especially younger women in tertiary institutions.”
Chairperson of NAWOJ FCT, Bassey Ita-Ikpang underscored the critical role of women in media: “Women are in the newsroom; we can influence narratives. Let’s forget physical attributes and focus on what women have to offer. If women in media don’t amplify the bill, it will amount to nothing.”
She called for ethical reporting and enlightenment: “In Abuja, it’s been said that polling booths are not owned by anyone, leading to near free and fair elections. But in local governments, many polling booths are controlled. We must enlighten women that elections go beyond collecting wrappers. The narrative that women don’t like themselves is a lie; it’s society’s writing, and men run with it. We like ourselves.”
Ita-Ikpang appealed to media women to contribute their quota: “Let’s influence men in our newsrooms and use our platforms to make this bill successful this time around.”
Former media aide to the Deputy Senate President, Lara Wise, shared a poignant anecdote about political apathy: “The former Deputy Senate President, Senator Omo Agege, went to Rwanda and came back ashamed. Rwanda has over 68% women participation in parliament. He wanted to replicate it here, but it didn’t happen due to lack of support.”
Wise urged a revival of energy: “Many women are tired and apathetic because past efforts failed. But we are at the point where the cervix is fully dilated; this last push will bring our baby. Let’s do this in our newsrooms, churches, mosques, and social media. Sensitize men and women alike.”
CEO of TOS Group, Osasu Ogwuche, praised the progress made: “The progress on special seats wouldn’t have been possible without women like Adora leading the charge. The bill is currently at the committee stage in the National Assembly, with public hearings scheduled next month.”
Ogwuche highlighted the importance of public participation: “This is not an elitist bill. The public hearings allow Nigerian citizens to contribute. After that, the bill goes back for voting. We need women and girls to add their voices, pressure lawmakers, use social media, attend hearings.”
She noted strong endorsements: “The Senate President, Speaker of the House, and President are informed and supportive. The Minister of Women Affairs and the diplomatic community back the bill. The momentum is unprecedented.”
Ogwuche reminded the audience of past failures but expressed hope: “In the 8th and 9th assemblies, the bill failed. Now, we focus on increasing women’s numbers in parliament by creating 37 seats in the Senate, 37 in the House of Reps, and 3 additional seats per state for women only. Even then, it only brings representation to about 14-15%, below the global recommendation of 35%. This is a foundation to build on.”
She concluded with a call to action: “Nigeria needs this bill. We need women with capacity and will to enter politics. This is for our daughters, sons, and the betterment of Nigeria.”
This gathering underscored a critical truth: women in the media hold the key to shaping public opinion and political will. Their unique position allows them to tell stories that humanize the struggle for political inclusion, debunk myths, and mobilize grassroots support.
As Chizoba Ogbeche said, “we are leaders in our own right. We can talk to one or two people. For NAWOJ, it’s one person telling one person. That’s how the campaign grows.”
Sydney-Jack reminded women in the media: “Use your platforms—TV, radio, print, social media—to support this cause. If we lead the conversation, lawmakers will know we are serious. Posterity will judge us if we don’t.”
Ita-Ikpang’s plea was clear: “Women in the media must amplify this bill. Ethical reporting and enlightenment are crucial. We must influence men and women in our newsrooms.”
Behind the statistics and legislative jargon are real women whose lives and futures depend on this bill. Women who have faced trauma, violence, and exclusion in past elections. Women who dream of leading without fear, who want to shape policies that affect maternal health, education, and economic empowerment.
The “Fit for Inclusion” programme was more than a political event; it was a human story of resilience, hope, and determination. It was a call to Nigerian women everywhere—journalists, activists, voters—to unite, raise their voices, and claim their rightful place in the nation’s political narrative.
As the special seats bill moves toward public hearings and a crucial vote, the eyes of Nigeria—and indeed the world—are on these women. Their success will not only redefine Nigerian politics but will also inspire generations of women to come.