Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has decried the severely low number of women in Nigeria’s legislative institutions, emphasizing the urgent need for gender inclusion through the Reserved Seats for Women Bill.
Speaking at a roundtable discussion on the bill, organized by The Osasu Show (TOS) in collaboration with the Embassy of Switzerland, Kalu described the bill as an essential intervention to deepen democracy and not a product of sentiment.
According to him, the figures speak volumes: out of approximately 1,460 legislative seats across Nigeria, only 64 are held by women. In the National Assembly, just 19 out of 469 seats are occupied by women — comprising 15 in the House of Representatives and only 4 in the Senate.
At the subnational level, women hold a mere 45 of the 991 seats across all 36 State Houses of Assembly. Furthermore, Nigeria currently has no female governor.
“These numbers are not just statistics,” Kalu stated. “They reflect a persistent and systemic exclusion of women from the decision-making process. Nigeria has a population of over 220 million people, nearly half of whom — 49.3 percent — are women. Yet, women are largely missing from the political leadership table.”
He emphasized that the Reserved Seats for Women Bill is not driven by emotion or political correctness, but rather by factual evidence and democratic necessity. “This bill is not born out of sentiment,” he stressed. “It is born out of reason, out of evidence, out of the stubborn facts of our current reality. It is rooted in the belief that justice delayed is democracy denied.”
The Deputy Speaker revealed that the National Assembly is scheduled to vote on the bill, along with other key constitutional amendment proposals, immediately after lawmakers return from their annual recess. He called for a renewed and intensified advocacy campaign in the remaining weeks leading up to the vote, noting that the bill has the potential to transform Nigeria’s governance structure in favour of equity and inclusivity.
“There’s no time to waste,” he warned. “Keep the advocacy alive. Keep lobbying. We have less than 60 days left. Talk to the right people — religious leaders, political heavyweights, spouses of parliamentarians — anyone with influence over the lawmakers who will cast the deciding votes.”
He also encouraged a change in strategy when engaging stakeholders. “Shift the language of advocacy. Make compelling appeals. Involve notable women across the country. Bring in influencers. We need everyone on board.”
Kalu praised the 10th House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, for placing inclusion at the core of its legislative agenda.
He also highlighted how the bill aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes justice, equity, and national progress. According to him, the President’s recent appointments and policies demonstrate a willingness to challenge long-standing exclusionary norms — a spirit that this bill seeks to uphold legislatively.
In a passionate call to action, the Deputy Speaker addressed various groups whose support is vital to the bill’s success. To civil society organizations, development partners, and the international community, he urged: “Stand with us. Mentor women. Equip them. Amplify their voices. Your expertise and collaboration are indispensable.”
To political parties, he delivered a stern message: “True reform must begin from within. Open your structures to women. Don’t just use them as mobilizers. Field them as candidates and empower them as decision-makers. The strength of our democracy depends on the strength of our internal party democracy.”
He also challenged the media to shape public discourse on the bill with fairness and purpose. “Tell this story not as tokenism, but as transformation. This is not a favour to women — it’s a necessary framework for equity. A nation cannot fly with one wing.”
Finally, Kalu made a heartfelt appeal to the Nigerian public — men, women, youth, and the elderly alike — to support the bill. “This is your bill. Speak for it. Stand behind it. Because when women rise, nations do not merely progress — they prosper. When women lead, societies heal.”