Nigeria TV Info 

Reps Fast-Track Passage of Special Seats Bill for Women Amid Narrowing Electoral Window

The House of Representatives has moved to accelerate legislative consideration of the Special Seats Bill aimed at improving women’s representation in Nigeria’s political system, as the timeline toward the next general elections continues to shrink.

During plenary on Thursday, lawmakers expressed urgency over the need to address gender imbalance in elective offices, noting that Nigeria remains one of the countries with the lowest female representation in parliament across Africa. The bill, which proposes reserved legislative seats for women at both federal and state levels, is part of broader constitutional amendment efforts currently before the National Assembly.

Sponsors of the bill argued that affirmative action is necessary to correct historical exclusion of women from political leadership, stressing that voluntary party quotas have not delivered meaningful change. They maintained that without legal backing, female participation in governance will continue to decline or stagnate.

Several lawmakers supporting the proposal emphasized that time is a critical factor, as political parties will soon begin primaries and candidate selection processes ahead of the 2026 electoral cycle. They warned that delay in passing the bill could make implementation impossible within the current political timetable.

However, some members raised concerns about cost implications, structural integration, and potential resistance from political stakeholders. They called for broader consultations with civil society groups, political parties, and the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure smooth implementation if the bill is eventually passed.

Women’s rights advocates and civil society organizations have continued to mount pressure on the legislature, describing the bill as a “historic opportunity” to strengthen inclusive governance and deepen democracy in Nigeria.

The bill is expected to undergo further debate and possible harmonization with related constitutional amendment proposals in the coming weeks.