The Urgent Need for Reserved Seats for Women Bill

Today, January 27, 2026, as the National Assembly gathers, legislators are faced with a critical truth: we are running out of time to enact the Reserved Seats for Women Bill (HB1349). If this legislation is to be implemented in time for the 2027 general elections, it cannot merely remain a point of discussion on a lengthy legislative agenda. This issue demands immediate attention—akin to the "fierce urgency of now" phrase famously used by Martin Luther King Jr. Delaying any further equates to denial. Should HB1349 continue languishing in legislative limbo, we could be condemning women to another four years of marginalization in terms of political representation.

In her insightful book, "Love Does Not Win Elections," Aisha Osori, a former candidate for the House of Representatives, illustrates the harsh realities of Nigerian politics. She argues that the political landscape does not necessarily reward integrity, skill, or moral integrity. Instead, it is dominated by a rigid framework of interests, power brokers, and regulations that determine candidates long before elections take place.

Osori's analysis reveals that women's exclusion from Nigerian politics is not due to a lack of ambition or ability but a systemic obstruction designed to keep them out. They are acknowledged as capable voters, mobilizers, and moral pillars but are systematically barred from party mechanisms, delegate selection, and nomination avenues. In essence, there is a disconnect between the public praise and political support extended toward women and their actual participation in political processes.

This is the reasoning behind the introduction of HB1349. It is not a matter of charity but is aimed at rectifying years of deliberate exclusion from political opportunities.

If elections were inherently fair, this bill would not be necessary. If meritocracy dictated political outcomes, women's representation would align with their demographic significance, educational achievement, and civic engagement levels. Yet history has shown that electoral systems rarely self- correct; they perpetuate the status quo unless consciously reformed.

In the previous Eighth National Assembly, Senator Biodun Olujimi proposed the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill, which sought to marry Nigerian legislation with international covenants like the CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women). Although it wasn't specifically designed for creating reserved seats, it proposed broader anti- discrimination measures across political, economic, and social spheres. The intent was to establish equality on principle while calling for affirmative action in theory and justice through laws.

Currently, the Reserved Seats for Women Bill is waiting for its Third Reading, having undergone extensive public hearings nationwide, where it gained substantial support alongside other constitutional amendments. It was anticipated that this bill would pass through the National Assembly by the end of the last year. Yet, as we near the close of January, it remains unpassed.

The failure of previous attempts has been public and notable. The bill proposed in March 2016 failed to pass its second reading due to opposition grounded in traditional and religious beliefs, labeling equality as culturally incompatible. This setback was less about the bill's contents and more indicative of the entrenched power dynamics that dismissed proposed reforms that relied on engaging dialogue rather than coercive power.

The Ninth National Assembly also made attempts from 2019 to 2023 to create special seats dedicated to women through the constitutional amendment bill HB1301. This marked the formal introduction of reserved seats within Nigeria's parliamentary context; however, it too fell short, rejected amid the constitutional review process despite public advocacy and pressure for change.

As we enter the 10th National Assembly, a shift in politics is palpable. The Reserved Seats for Women Bill has re-emerged, primarily now as HB1349, with a notable twist: strong support from influential leaders and political figures. Introduced by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, the bill has garnered backing from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and other prominent legislative figures.

Yet, it hangs in legislative limbo as the Assembly's third reading remains awaited. The bill had received widespread backing in public hearings across Nigeria's geopolitical zones alongside all other constitutional changes. Despite this momentum, it has yet to clear the National Assembly as we move into a new year.

The urgency behind these discussions must not be underestimated. The 10th National Assembly has either the chance to dismantle historic cycles of exclusion or risk compounding the narrative of unfulfilled promises regarding women's rights and representation. With a presidential endorsement in place, political leadership at the assembly level is primed, and the public has shown strong support across all regions.

Time is of the essence as electoral timelines don’t regard moral quandaries. The Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) calendar for the 2027 elections begins this year. The organizational processes including primaries, delegate selections, and party activities are on the near horizon. Absent the necessary constitutional reforms, women risk being pushed aside again, receiving the same dismissive advice to "wait" and "build capacity" for yet another election cycle.

History reiterates that delaying just actions rarely yields positive outcomes. Women have waited through various legislative cycles, each time meeting the same uncertainties, merely receiving affirmations void of substance. The forthcoming assembly must not prolong the legislative process for women seeking representation. If HB1349 does not pass soon, we may yet see another four years of invisibility for women in Nigeria's governance structure.

Today's gathering is a pivotal moment. The National Assembly is at a crossroads: it can usher in change or perpetuate the cycle of neglect that has typified the past. The time to act is now.

The clock is ticking towards the 2027 electoral cycle. We must transition from a deferential approach to one of immediate action.