From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has reaffirmed his support for increased female participation in governance, describing women as better managers.
He added that as crucial decision-makers, their absence in politics represents a missed opportunity for national progress.
Akpabio made the remarks during an advocacy visit to his office by a coalition of women activists under the aegis of the “Reserved Seats for Women Bill” led by Osasu Igbinedion.
He acknowledged the persistent barriers women face in political spaces and called for a cultural shift to enable their full participation. He, particularly, noted the irony that women often fail to support female candidates at the polls, a trend he said must change for the bill to succeed.
“We all came from women. Personally, I am blessed with four beautiful daughters. The success of this bill will open the doors of greater political participation for our female children,” Akpabio said. He called on the advocates to intensify efforts to gain wider support for the proposed legislation.
In her remarks, Igbinedion highlighted the underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s political leadership, stating that women hold less than five percent of seats in the National Assembly, a figure that is among the lowest on the African continent.
“We are here today to speak on behalf of millions of Nigerian women, including farmers, entrepreneurs, market traders, doctors, teachers, and mothers, whose voices have, for too long, been underrepresented in the highest chambers of our democracy,” she said.
She described the bill as a corrective measure to ensure inclusivity and better governance outcomes, emphasising that women’s participation in policymaking leads to more inclusive legislation and stronger communities.
“This bill is not asking for charity; it is calling for justice. It is not about reducing the space for men; it is about expanding the possibilities for Nigeria.”
She urged the Senate President to lend his full endorsement to the bill, saying it would signal a new chapter in Nigeria’s democratic journey and affirm the legislature’s commitment to equity and progress.
At the end of the meeting, Akpabio and other lawmakers present were decorated with badges inscribed with the message: “I support reserved seats for women bill.”