National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and several advocacy groups, including the UN Women, the Canadian Government, the British High Commission, and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, have intensified their campaign for the passage of the Special Seats for Women Bill.
The bill, which is before the National Assembly, is among the bills that have generated the most interest yet in the ongoing effort by the Nigerian legislature to further amend the 1999 Constitution.
The increased pressure on senators and members of the House of Representatives comes as the lawmakers prepare for the critical phase in the amendment process, voting on the clause-by-clause proposals on bills in the weeks ahead.
The special bill, according to the Director-General of NILDS, Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, proposes six (6) additional seats in the Senate- one per geo-political zone; 37 additional seats in the House of Representatives- one per state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); and 108 additional seats across State Houses of Assembly; three per state.
NILDS is the primary capacity-building agency for Nigeria’s National Assembly with the core mandate of strengthening the legislature and democratic institutions through research, training, advocacy, and technical support, leading to informed decision-making.
Sulaiman, who was speaking at a national gala in Abuja to mark the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD), described the bill as “transformative” and a reform agenda to showcase improvement in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
He said, “Nigeria stands at a decisive moment in its constitutional history, as the National Assembly approaches the final phase of voting on the Constitution Alteration Bills.
“The Special Seats for Women Bill represents one of the most transformative democratic reforms before our nation and offers a constitutional pathway toward correcting a structural imbalance; peacefully, legally, and within the framework of our democratic traditions.
“It proposes 6 additional seats in the Senate- one per geo-political zone; 37 additional seats in the House of Representatives- one per state and the FCT; and 108 additional seats across State Houses of Assembly; three per state.
“This is not simply about numbers, but it is about voice, equity, fairness, and justice for all. For decades, Nigeria has grappled with persistently low representation of women in elective offices. Yet women constitute nearly half of our population and are central to our economic productivity, social cohesion, and democratic legitimacy.
“No democracy can claim maturity when its decision-making institutions do not reflect the diversity of its people.”
He argued that gender-balancing would promote political stability, social cohesion, and development as seen in countries around Africa and elsewhere that gave special attention to women’s participation in political decision-making.
“Rwanda, for example, through its constitutional guarantee of a minimum of 30% representation for women, now has one of the highest proportions of women in parliament globally, standing at over 60%,” the NILDS’ DG stated.
“Tanzania adopted a ‘special seats’ model similar to the one proposed in Nigeria, reserving additional parliamentary positions for women.
“This has steadily increased women’s participation to about 37% in the National Assembly, fostering inclusive policy debates and improving the representation of women’s perspectives in governance.
“Similarly, Senegal’s parity law, which requires political parties to include equal number of men and women on electoral lists, has elevated women’s representation to over 40%, reshaping public decision-making and broadening the social contract between citizens and the government.”
NILDS seized the opportunity of the gala to launch the country’s first Women Parliamentary Caucus, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) for female legislators (both national and state), aiming to provide a united platform for women to amplify their voices and advocate for gender-responsive laws in Nigeria.
“Over the years, NILDS has continued to work with legislators, NGOs, CSOs, international organisations, and relevant government agencies in advocating for women’s inclusion in governance.
“We shall continue to link our efforts with new developments in collaborating with all our partners to boost women’s participation and representation in governance,” Professor Sulaiman added.
Goodwill messages came from the British High Commission, the Canadian High Commission, the UN Women Country Representative for Nigeria and EXOWAS, the National Council for Women Society (NCWS), the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, and several other stakeholders, all calling on the National Assembly to ensure the passage of the bill this time round.
The special seats were first introduced in the 9th National Assembly (2019-2023). Sponsored by Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha and 85 others, including the then Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, it sought to alter the 1999 Constitution but was rejected by the House of Representatives in February 2022, with 81 votes in favour, 208 against, and 13 abstentions.
The bill was reintroduced in the 10th National Assembly (2023-present) as HB 1349, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and others, passing second reading in the House on July 9, 2024.
The bill received support at the various public hearings on the new constitution amendment bills, appearing as one of the recommended ones for passage by the joint report of the Senate and the House of Representatives.