The leadership of the National Assembly has launched the Nigerian Women Parliamentary Caucus as lawmakers gear up for clause-by-clause voting concerning the ongoing amendment of the 1999 Constitution. This initiative indicates a renewed institutional backing for the proposed Special Seats for Women Bill.
The inauguration took place in Abuja on Wednesday, coinciding with International Women’s Day 2026, and united female federal and state legislators under a collaborative platform to enhance advocacy for gender- sensitive legislation and better representation of women in governance.
Organized by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), which serves as the research and capacity-building division of the National Assembly, the event was in partnership with development allies and women-centered organizations.
The Special Seats for Women Bill currently before the National Assembly seeks to create six additional seats in the Senate—one for each geopolitical zone—alongside 37 extra seats in the House of Representatives, with one for each state and the Federal Capital Territory. Additionally, it proposes 108 supplementary seats in State Houses of Assembly, providing three per state.
Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, the Director-General of NILDS, described the legislation as a constitutional strategy aimed at tackling the under- representation of women in elective positions.
He expressed that the National Assembly is reaching a vital phase in the constitutional amendment journey, with votes on the proposed amendments expected shortly.
Sulaiman remarked that the legislation aims to enhance inclusivity within Nigeria’s democratic system by widening the avenues for women to engage in legislative affairs.
The renewed advocacy for the bill has garnered support from various development partners and institutions, including UN Women, the British High Commission, the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, and the National Council of Women Societies.
During the proceedings, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, represented by Graham Gass, the Deputy Head of the UK Development Agency, urged the National Assembly to move forward with the vote on the Special Seats Bill, highlighting this moment as a key opportunity to foster democratic inclusion.
Montgomery noted that there are strong moral, democratic, and developmental reasons backing women’s representation, citing international evidence suggesting that broader inclusion can favorably influence economic growth, human capital development, and social equity.
He assured that international partners would continue to support endeavors to boost women’s political involvement.
Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, speaking on behalf of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, reiterated the commitment of the House leadership to initiatives aimed at enhancing women’s political participation.
She emphasized the need for ongoing engagement with political parties to strengthen internal mechanisms for promoting women’s inclusion, alongside the proposed constitutional changes.
In a statement conveyed on behalf of the Speaker, the House reaffirmed its dedication to addressing the under-representation of women in political and decision-making roles as a priority of the 10th Assembly.
Abbas acknowledged that despite women making up a significant segment of the population, their representation in elected positions remains notably low.
The House leadership indicated its endorsement of the Special Seats proposal as a temporary constitutional arrangement to increase women's representation in both the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.
Furthermore, they noted that the broader legislative agenda also encompasses initiatives aimed at reinforcing legal protections against gender-based violence, enhancing access to education and economic opportunities, and ensuring equity in rights related to employment and property ownership.
The Special Seats Bill was initially introduced during the 9th National Assembly but failed to gain sufficient votes in the House of Representatives in 2022. It was reintroduced in the 10th Assembly as House Bill 1349 and successfully passed its second reading in July 2024.
This bill is included among those recommended for passage in the joint report from both the Senate and the House of Representatives following public hearings on the constitutional amendments.
Stakeholders present at the inauguration expressed hope that the formal establishment of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus would improve coordination among female lawmakers at both federal and state levels as they approach the decisive vote on the constitutional amendments.
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