Cynthia Ezegwu
The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria has called on policymakers to pass the proposed Reserved Seats Bill, describing it as a “corrective tool” designed to address decades of structural imbalance in political representation rather than a privilege for women.
Speaking on Friday in Abuja at the commencement of the 2025 FIDA Nigeria Abuja Branch Law Week, themed “Advancing Women’s Representation: The Reserved Seats and the Future of Nigeria’s Legislature,” FIDA Abuja branch Chairperson, Chioma Onyenucheya-Uko, stressed that women remain significantly underrepresented in Nigerian politics despite their contributions to social and economic development.
“Nigeria currently stands at a constitutional crossroads,” Onyenucheya-Uko said. “Democracy cannot thrive when half of the country’s population remains excluded from leadership and decision-making processes.”
Tracing the historical challenges faced by women in political participation, she noted that although elections began in Nigeria in 1923, women in the southern and eastern regions only gained voting rights in 1954, while women in the northern region were enfranchised in 1979. She added that successive military regimes between 1966 and 1999, during which all heads of state and administrators were men, reinforced long-standing inequalities.
According to Onyenucheya-Uko, the Reserved Seats Bill is a “restructuring necessity” aimed at creating a fairer, more inclusive democratic foundation and ensuring women actively participate as leaders, influencers, and decision-makers. She urged political parties to open platforms to qualified women, the media to amplify women’s visibility in politics, and civil society organisations to prioritise initiatives promoting gender-balanced leadership.
She also encouraged Nigerian women to contest elections, whether through reserved or open seats, stressing that the national decision-making table remains incomplete without them.
The Chairperson of the Law Week Committee, Mrs. Wendy Kuku (SAN), described this year’s event as particularly significant due to growing national discussions on women’s political representation. She said the Law Week aims to spark dialogue that moves from discussion to tangible reform, ensuring Nigeria’s future legislature is inclusive and representative.
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Currently, women occupy less than 5% of seats in the National Assembly, one of the lowest rates in Africa. The Reserved Seats Bill proposes temporary affirmative action measures to create additional parliamentary seats exclusively for female candidates in the Senate, House of Representatives, and state Houses of Assembly.
If passed, the bill is expected to significantly increase women’s presence in elected office, enhance gender balance in legislative decision-making, and strengthen inclusive governance and national development.
FIDA Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to promoting women’s representation, protecting their rights, and advancing gender-responsive legislation as essential tools for achieving equality and sustainable development.