Coalition urges N/Assembly to fast-track reserved seats for women bill 

The Reserved Seats for Women Bill Campaign Coalition has called on the National Assembly to urgently conclude legislative consideration of proposed constitutional amendments seeking to establish 182 reserved seats for women ahead of the 2027 General Elections. The call follows the release of the 2027 general election timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). […]

The Reserved Seats for Women Bill Campaign Coalition has called on the National Assembly to urgently conclude legislative consideration of proposed constitutional amendments seeking to establish 182 reserved seats for women ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

The call follows the release of the 2027 general election timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a statement on Sunday signed by its Communications Lead, Hammed Adejare, the coalition said the publication of the electoral calendar brings clarity for political parties, candidates, institutions, and citizens, but also highlights the narrowing timeframe for legislative action.

According to the coalition, House Bill 1349 and Senate Bill 550 propose a constitutional amendment to create 182 reserved seats for women across the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the State Houses of Assembly.

“The legislative window to conclude consideration of House Bill 1349 and Senate Bill 550 is rapidly narrowing,” the statement said.

The coalition noted that Nigeria currently records one of the lowest levels of female parliamentary representation globally, with women occupying less than five per cent of seats in the National Assembly.

“This enduring imbalance is not merely statistics; it reflects structural barriers that weaken representative governance and erode public confidence in democratic institutions,” the statement added.

Describing the proposed legislation as a corrective mechanism, the coalition said the bill is designed to operate for an initial period of 16 years to accelerate progress toward balanced representation while maintaining the integrity of the electoral system.

“It is measured, constitutional, and aligned with democratic best practice,” the coalition stated.

The group further said women across the 36 states are prepared to contest and serve, urging members of the 10th National Assembly to act decisively.

“The question before the nation is whether the 469 lawmakers of the 10th National Assembly are prepared to act with urgency and responsibility to remove systemic barriers that have constrained women’s participation for decades,” the statement read.

The coalition urged the leadership of the National Assembly to prioritise and fast-track the passage of Senate Bill 550 and House Bill 1349 within the remaining legislative timeframe.

“Nigeria must not approach the 2027 General Elections with the same structural inequities that have long limited women’s full and equal participation in the democratic process. The moment for reform is now. The electoral clock is ticking,” the statement concluded.