First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has asked the senate and house of representatives to pass the bill seeking to create extra seats for women in the national assembly.
A proposed legislation aimed at creating 74 seats for women in the national assembly has passed the second reading state at the green chamber.
Sponsored by Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker, and 12 other lawmakers, the bill intends to alter sections 48, 49, 71, and 117 of the constitution to create one “special seat reserved exclusively for women in the Senate and House of Representatives for each state of the federation and the federal capital territory (FCT).”
Speaking on Monday at the art for governance exhibition organised by the office of the deputy speaker in partnership with ElectHER, an advocacy group for women’s empowerment, the first lady said more women are needed in the legislature.
Represented by Fatima Abbas, wife of Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, the first lady said women constitute a vital part of the nation’s progress, yet are underrepresented in governance.
“In the context of governance and inclusion, it offers a unique and compelling way to spotlight the urgent need for greater female representation in leadership and decision-making processes,” she said.
“The artworks being displayed today serve not only for a Nigeria where political leadership is truly inclusive and reflective of its people. The emphasis on affirmative action bills is essential to amplifying the message of inclusion contained in this exhibition.
“Ensuring that women have a stronger voice in shaping policies, making decisions and driving national development is not just a matter of justice, it is a necessity for stable growth.
“Therefore, I support the affirmative action bill that mandates at least 35 percent of seats in the legislative and executive arms be occupied by women.
“I urge the national assembly to expedite the passage of the bill. I am committed to supporting initiatives that promote gender inclusion, women and nation-building.
“This has been my mission during my mission as first lady of Lagos, as a senator and now as the first lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I firmly believe in the importance of women’s voices in governance.
“I urge my former colleagues, the civil society organization and the public to embrace the message of the exhibition and collaborate to ensure that women’s voices are heard.”
Also speaking, Kalu said the barriers to women’s underrepresentation in politics and governance must be broken.
“Today, we wield the transformative power to address one of the most pressing issues in Nigeria’s democracy: The systemic underrepresentation of women in governance,” he said.
“We see the struggles, the resilience, and the undeniable strength of women who have fought to lead, only to be met with barriers.
“But barriers can be broken. That is why this exhibition is not just a cultural moment — it is an advocacy tool, a visual argument, a movement in motion.”
Ibijoke Faborode, the CEO of ElectHER and lead curator, of art for governance exhibition, harped on gender-inclusive governance in fostering stronger democratic institutions, improved policy outcomes, and broader socio-economic growth.
She said Nigeria has one of the lowest rates of female political representation on the continent.
Faborode said with women comprising nearly 50 percent of the population but less than 4 percent of the national assembly, the underrepresentation of women in governance remains a critical challenge to achieving inclusive democracy and sustainable development.
“We are building the momentum needed to mainstream the reserved seats bill, shift public discourse, and drive its passage. This is not just about a policy change. It is about reshaping Nigeria’s democratic landscape to reflect the full strength of its people,” she said.
Faborode added that as the nation moves toward the 2027 elections, bold legislative reforms like the reserved seats bill can be a game-changer for socio-economic transformation.
The Cable
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