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By Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye
The ninth National Assembly of Nigeria squandered an unparalleled chance to promote equitable political representation and gender empowerment by rejecting landmark gender bills, including the Reserved Seats for Women Bill (HB 1349 & SB 440). As the public hearing for this bill kicks off today, Monday, September 22, 2025, under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, the nation stands at a crossroads in its journey toward gender-inclusive democracy. Activists, including renowned human rights advocate, Aisha Yesufu, are calling on the tenth Assembly to right past wrongs and cement their legacy by passing the bill.
Historic missed opportunity by ninth Assembly
The failure of the ninth Assembly to pass transformative gender legislation remains a stark reminder of the systemic barriers facing Nigerian women in politics. This missed opportunity was an act that many describe as leaving the Assembly’s name unwritten in the progressive annals of history. Gender activists and political commentators have since condemned this failure to enshrine equitable legislative representation, underlining the urgency for the tenth Assembly to reverse course and implement robust reforms.
The Reserved Seats for Women Bill seeks to amend Nigeria’s Constitution to create additional dedicated seats for women in the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly, ensuring balanced representation that has hitherto been absent.
The reserved seats bill: Structure and promise
The bill proposes to increase Nigeria’s legislative membership by 219 seats reserved exclusively for women—37 seats in the Senate, 74 in the House of Representatives, and 108 across the State Assemblies. Importantly, these seats do not limit women from contesting general seats but are designed to extend inclusion through structural reform. Additionally, a sunset clause mandates a review after four election cycles to monitor progress and determine the bill’s future.
This measure is seen as a necessary corrective tool to dismantle historical exclusion, not as a means of political favoritism, a point emphasized repeatedly by advocates and political leaders alike.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu on commitment, not tokenism
Benjamin Kalu, who will chair the public hearing, has been vocal about the bill’s significance. Speaking recently at a dialogue hosted by Emerge Women Development Initiative and the Entrepreneurship Centre for Women Development, Kalu, representing the House leadership, stated, “This bill is not just a piece of legislation, neither is it an act of tokenism. It is proof of our collective commitment to change the narrative and to disrupt the status quo that has long sidelined women from decision-making tables.”
Kalu further called for a comprehensive review of electoral laws, party politics, and societal norms to dismantle the barriers hindering women’s political participation. His leadership in chairing the hearing underscores the push from some quarters of the National Assembly to institutionalize gender equity.
Aisha Yesufu’s call to tenth Assembly
Among the most eloquent voices urging passage is Aisha Yesufu, the prominent political and human rights activist. During a panel discussion preceding the hearing, Yesufu reminded lawmakers of the historical consequences of their predecessors’ inaction.
“The ninth Assembly has come and gone, and history has recorded that it was its members who vehemently rejected the bill,” Yesufu said emphatically. “For the tenth Assembly, I have this to say: sign the bill on reserved seats for women if you want to be remembered.”
Her challenge to the new Assembly is a clarion call for lawmakers to seize the moment and deliver a reform that could redefine Nigeria’s democracy for generations.
Advocacy and mobilization ahead of the hearing
Women’s rights groups, regional leaders, and advocacy coalitions have intensified campaigns nationwide to rally support for the bill. The Southeast zone, among others, has seen vibrant engagement through media outreach, town hall meetings, and grassroots mobilization, emphasizing that the bill transcends gender politics and touches on national democratic health.
Advocates stress that the bill is a structural solution aimed at inclusion rather than mere tokenism. Mary Ikoku, founder of the Emerge Women Development Initiative, has stated, “We are not asking for favour; what we are asking for are just constitutional rights of women and girls in this country to have rights to leadership.”
Minister of State for Labour and Employment Nkeiruka Onyejeocha’s role and viewpoint
Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment and former lawmaker, played a crucial role in advancing women’s political representation in the ninth Assembly. She was among the lead sponsors of the original “Additional Legislative Seats Bill” together with 85 other legislators, including the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who now serves as Chief of Staff to the President.
The bill they sponsored aimed to create 111 special seats for women in the National Assembly—three seats per state and one for the Federal Capital Territory—alongside expansion in the State Houses of Assembly. Although it failed to pass due to not achieving the required two-thirds majority in March 2022, the current Reserved Seats Bill (HB 1349) has been reintroduced with modifications, notably including a sunset clause and adjustments to the number of reserved seats.
Onyejeocha remarked on the renewed push saying, “This bill is a strategic and vital step toward ensuring that women have a rightful place in the corridors of power. Political representation must reflect our population, and reserved seats guarantee women’s voices are heard, leading to inclusive laws that benefit all Nigerians.” She emphasized that the bill provides a platform for women with diverse experiences and skills to contribute meaningfully to governance and national development.
Overcoming misconceptions and opposition
One notable challenge is dispelling misconceptions that reserved seats will lead to tokenistic placements rather than genuine empowerment. This narrative has been tackled head-on by activists like Ebi Alaibe Elezieanya, who insists the current level of women’s representation, which remains far below 10 percent in the National Assembly, shows the inadequacy of voluntary inclusion.
Experts highlight that the bill, with its sunset clause, is calibrated to be a temporary special measure designed to catalyze progress within a defined electoral timeframe.
Strengthening institutional support and public awareness
The success of the bill also hinges on expanding support beyond legislative circles to traditional leaders, religious institutions, and the broader public. As Kalu noted, transforming deep-rooted societal and political norms is crucial for achieving lasting gender equality gains.
Public awareness initiatives are playing a significant role as well. Dr. Bukky Shonibare of Invictus Africa points out that many Nigerians remain unaware of existing gender-related laws such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, underscoring the need for education and media campaigns to boost support for the Reserved Seats Bill.
National and regional significance
The passage of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill would position Nigeria at the forefront of gender-inclusive governance in Africa. It aligns with international commitments under Sustainable Development Goal 5, which calls for achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
This reform promises a more inclusive democracy that reflects the diversity of Nigeria’s population and could inspire other nations on the continent to adopt similar measures.
The public hearing: A defining moment
The public hearing on September 22, 2025, chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, will be a significant event convening lawmakers, civil society leaders, activists, and media. The session will feature deliberations, testimonies, and strategic discussions aimed at securing legislative passage.
The hearing represents a chance to correct the historic omission by the ninth Assembly and change the political landscape by embedding gender equity into Nigeria’s constitutional roadmap.
Conclusion
As Nigeria approaches this pivotal public hearing, the nation’s collective political will is on trial. The ninth Assembly’s failure to advance gender legislation stands as a cautionary tale, yet today’s heightened advocacy and open dialogue fuel optimism. The leadership of Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and voices like Aisha Yesufu spotlight the urgency and historic possibility for the tenth Assembly’s legacy.
The passage of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill is no longer a distant hope but an achievable milestone. It offers a transformative opportunity to inscribe Nigeria’s name in history as a beacon of gender-inclusive democracy.
