If the Reserved Seats for Women Bill currently before the National Assembly is passed and signed into law, Nigerian women stand to gain 156 additional seats across federal and state legislatures.
The bill, which proposes amendments to the 1999 Constitution, aims to create special parliamentary seats for women and is being championed by gender advocates as a temporary, corrective measure to address decades of underrepresentation in governance.
Under the proposal, each state would have one reserved seat for women in both the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as three seats in state Houses of Assembly.
However, sources say the Senate is considering allocating one reserved women’s seat per geopolitical zone in the upper chamber.
Speaking during a training session for the House of Representatives Press Corps, Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker on Legislative Matters, Chidozie Aja, clarified that the reserved seats would expand representation rather than replace existing positions.
Political parties would nominate only female candidates for these seats.
Aja added that the measure is intended to last four election cycles, or 16 years, although adjustments are being considered that could extend its duration or remove the sunset clause entirely.
The bill proposes changes to Sections 48, 49, 71, 77, 91, and 117 of the Constitution, with a recent recommendation to amend Section 42 as well.
“The approach may be new to Nigeria, but countries like Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Burkina Faso, and Senegal have successfully implemented similar gender quotas,” he noted.
Rwanda now leads globally with 61% female representation in parliament.
Even with the additional 74 federal seats, the Senate and House of Representatives would reach a total of 543 seats, giving women approximately 13.6% representation nationally, modest progress, but a meaningful step forward.
Aja emphasized that structural gender quotas strengthen democracy by ensuring all voices are heard.
“Currently, Nigerian democracy operates at only half its potential. Women’s inclusion makes it deeper, more legitimate, and more stable,” he said.
Studies consistently show that women’s participation leads to better governance outcomes, including stronger health policies, improved education laws, robust social protection frameworks, and more community-driven development initiatives.
Women also play a critical role in grassroots peacebuilding, reducing conflict, and enhancing community resilience.
Economic analyses support the political case: a McKinsey Global Institute study estimates that full inclusion of women in economic and political life could boost Nigeria’s GDP by US$22.9 billion and increase overall growth by 23% by 2025.
