Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has thrown her support behind the push for special parliamentary seats for women, urging the National Assembly to swiftly pass the bill into law.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to allocate reserved seats for women in both the state and National Assembly.
The bill is currently under consideration as part of the constitutional amendment process.
Speaking at an Art for Governance Exhibition in Abuja on Monday night, organized by the Office of the Deputy Speaker in collaboration with ElectHER, an advocacy group for women’s empowerment, the First Lady—represented by Hajiya Fatima Tajudeen Abbas, wife of the Speaker—emphasized the vital role of women in shaping Nigeria’s future.
She said: “In the context of governance and inclusion, it offers a unique and compelling way to spotlight the urgent need for greater female representation in leadership and decision making processes. The artworks being displayed today serve not only for a Nigeria where political leadership is truly inclusive and reflective of its people.
“The emphasis on affirmative action bill is essential to amplifying the message of inclusion contained in this exhibition. Women constitute a vital part of our nation’s progress yet their representation in governance remains limited. Ensuring that women have a stronger voice in shaping policies, making decisions and driving national development is not just a matter of justice, it is a necessity for stable growth.
“Therefore, I support the affirmative action bill that mandates at least 35 percent of seats in the legislative and executive arms being occupied by women. I urge the national assembly to expedite the passage of the bill. I am committed to supporting initiatives that promote gender inclusion, women and nation building.
“This has been my mission during my mission as first lady of Lagos, as a senator and now as the first lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I firmly believe in the importance of women voices in governance. I urge my former colleagues, the civil society organization and the public to embrace the message of exhibition and collaborate to ensure that women’s voices are heard”.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu decried the under representation of women in governance, saying, “today, we wield the transformative power to address one of the most pressing issues in Nigeria’s democracy: the systemic underrepresentation of women in governance.
“We see the struggles, the resilience, and the undeniable strength of women who have fought to lead, only to be met with barriers. But barriers can be broken. That is why this exhibition is not just a cultural moment—it is an advocacy tool, a visual argument, a movement in motion.
“The Art for Governance exhibition is anchored on a pivotal legislative effort: The Constitution (Alteration) Bill, 2024—popularly known as the Additional Seats Bill. This bill is not merely about numbers or political arithmetic; it is about justice.
“As we push for its passage in the 10th Assembly, we recognize that legislative success is not achieved through legal arguments alone, but through the mobilization of hearts and minds, and this exhibition does precisely that. Because this is not just about passing a bill; it is about shaping a legacy”.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ElectHER and Lead Curator, Art For Governance Exhibition, Ibijoke Faborode highlighted the importance of gender-inclusive governance in fostering stronger democratic institutions, improved policy outcomes, and broader socio-economic growth.
She said: “Nigeria, Africa’s largest democracy, has one of the lowest rates of female political representation on the continent. With women comprising nearly 50% of the population but less than 4% of the National Assembly, the underrepresentation of women in governance remains a critical challenge to achieving inclusive democracy and sustainable development.
“As Nigeria moves toward the 2027 elections, bold legislative reforms like the Reserved Seats Bill can be a game changer for socioeconomic transformation. We are building the momentum needed to mainstream the Reserved Seats Bill, shift public discourse, and drive its passage. This is not just about a policy change. It is about reshaping Nigeria’s democratic landscape to reflect the full strength of its people.”
