By Ene Oshaba
A coalition of gender advocates, civil society leaders, and political actors has commended the National Assembly (NASS) for its unprecedented support for the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, hailing the formal backing by both the Senate and House of Representatives as a turning point in Nigeria’s pursuit of inclusive governance.
Speaking at a high-level press briefing in Abuja, Chief Osasu Igbinedion Ogwuche, Convener of the campaign, described the development as the highest level of political commitment ever witnessed in Nigeria’s long-running struggle for women’s representation in governance.
“This level of support from the Senate President, the Speaker of the House, and bipartisan leadership is historic. For the first time, both arms of the National Assembly are not only speaking in Favour of women’s inclusion, but they are also taking action,” Ogwuche said.
The bill, which seeks to amend Nigeria’s constitution to create 74 additional seats in the National Assembly and 108 across State Assemblies exclusively for women, is now slated for its third reading in October. If passed, it will move to the State Assemblies and then the President’s desk before the end of the year.
Ogwuche noted that since April, the campaign has garnered massive institutional and grassroots momentum with endorsements from the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the Governors’ Spouses Forum, and over 100 civil society and youth groups.
According to her, over 10 million Nigerians across the 36 states and the FCT have rallied behind the bill, making it the largest citizen-led constitutional advocacy campaign in recent memory.
“We’ve mobilized women farmers, market women, youth leaders everyone. We’ve walked markets, held town halls, and educated thousands on what this bill means. And what we’re hearing is clear: Nigerian women are ready to lead,” said Ogwuche.
She added that the estimated 1% increase to the national budget from implementing the additional seats is a small price to pay for the long-term benefits of inclusive governance.
“This is not a women’s issue it is a nation-building necessity,” Ogwuche noted. “Women constitute 50% of Nigeria’s population but occupy less than 5% of legislative seats. That is a structural imbalance we must correct.”
in her remarks. the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Community Engagement, Abiodun Essiet, emphasized that the bill is not about charity but about fairness and development.
“Power is not always seized by force. Sometimes, deliberate legislation is needed to dismantle long-standing barriers. This bill offers an enabling environment where women can compete, participate, and contribute meaningfully to national development,” she said.
Earlier, Amb. Dr. Elisha Attah, founder of the African Women in Leadership Organization (AWLO), praised the visible support from male legislators.
“For the first time, our male leaders are not hiding behind closed doors. They are openly backing this bill. This is the leadership Nigeria needs,” he said.
The campaign has also been buoyed by the successful conclusion of nationwide public hearings. The Senate conducted zonal sessions in all six geopolitical zones, while the House of Representatives held 12 hearings two per zone.
These forums recorded record-breaking turnout and overwhelming support from women, traditional leaders, religious groups, and youth.
“We’ve built local structures across all states,” said Ogwuche. “From the North Central to the South-South, women are saying the same thing this bill is for all of us, not just elites in Abuja.”
The bill has also sparked fresh political ambition among women at the grassroots. Ogwuche shared how several market women, after learning about the bill during advocacy walks, pledged to run for office once the law is passed.
“This is how systems change when women see themselves in power,” she said.
With legislative history within reach, the coalition is urging Nigerians to maintain pressure on their lawmakers and for President Bola Tinubu to openly endorse the bill as part of his “Renewed Hope” agenda.
“This is your legacy moment,” to lawmakers let history remember you as bridge builders, not gatekeepers.
She also called on the President: “When this bill reaches your desk, sign it. Sign it not just with ink, but with vision. Let your signature represent justice, inclusion, and the full dignity of every Nigerian.”
In closing, the coalition emphasized that the passage of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill is about building a new political reality:
“A Nigeria where leadership belongs to all, where dignity is defined by contribution not gender. We have lit the fire. Now we must walk boldly into the future where women rise and Nigeria rises with them,” Ogwuche urged.
Meanwhile, Ms Joy Akut, the Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives on Youth and Women Affairs, affirmed the support of the National Assembly, adding that for the first time it truly shows collective voice in support of the bill for women.