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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for strong backing of the special seats bill for women in governance, positioning it as a pillar of national unity during a high-profile dinner hosted by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for National Assembly members at the Presidential Villa’s Banquet Hall in Abuja.
Nigeria’s Special Seats Bill, also known as the Reserved or Additional Seats Bill, remains under consideration in the 10th National Assembly as a constitutional amendment to increase women’s legislative representation, with no passage reported as of late November 2025. The bill proposes temporary extra seats exclusively for women—one per senatorial district and federal constituency in the National Assembly, plus three per state in Houses of Assembly—contestable only by women for up to 16 years or four election cycles, addressing the current under 5% female representation across nearly 1,000 seats.
Shettima emphasised the Tinubu administration’s unprecedented harmony with the legislature, rooted in shared National Assembly alumni leadership, while leaders such as Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and Governor Hope Uzodimma amplified calls for increased women’s participation to reinforce democracy and security.
The event marks a pivotal push for gender inclusion as Nigeria addresses economic reforms and insecurity.
Executive-Legislature Harmony Under Tinubu
Shettima highlighted that the administration is built on legislative experience, noting that President Bola Tinubu, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Deputy Chief of Staff Ibrahim Hadejia, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, alongside himself, are all National Assembly alumni.
Reassuring lawmakers, he said, “You are not taken for granted. You have never been taken for granted. And you will never be taken for granted,” crediting their patriotism for achieving macroeconomic stability and investor confidence.
Shettima urged greater collaboration, stating, “The true essence of democracy manifests not only in respecting the legislature, but in appreciating the indispensable role each arm plays in the governance architecture. It shines most brightly where there is alignment of purpose, where the executive and legislature… are united by an unshakable resolve to build a nation that works for all.”
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Earlier, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu also rallied support for reserved seats for women in parliament. In her address, she expressed delight at the gathering, describing it as a reunion with familiar faces from past collaborations on national legislation. She highlighted recent national struggles, particularly threats to children’s education and basic needs, exacerbated by security issues, and warned that such deprivation exposes vulnerable youth to exploitation. Mrs Tinubu spotlighted the ongoing push for women’s representation through the Special Seats Bill, noting widespread local and international interest, adding, “If we do this now, the 10th [Assembly] will go down in the history of our legislature as a set that stood for women when we counted the most. This is the time to take care of our girls and boys.”
The First Lady praised global gender inclusion progress and urged Nigeria to adopt similar steps. “Nigeria can and should also benefit from such progressive ideologies… I trust in your collective wisdom, your experience, and your patriotism to steer the nation towards the solution that is constitutionally sound and politically located,” she said.
Senate President Akpabio described the National Assembly’s commitment, praising the First Lady’s initiative and confirming continued support for President Tinubu in stabilising the country and promoting inclusive governance.
He revealed a Senate resolution to classify kidnapping as a terrorist offence punishable by death.
Regarding the Gender Parity Bill, Akpabio pledged the Senate’s backing, while Speaker Abbas praised the First Lady’s commitment, highlighting her personal elevation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Abbas defended the bill as critical for democracy and security, explaining it would ensure at least one woman representative from each state in the House of Representatives, plus special seats in the Senate and state assemblies. “Global experience shows that when women take part in security policy-making, countries adopt more effective strategies for prevention, community engagement and long-term peacebuilding,” Abbas said.
APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, also pledged support for the First Lady’s call.
