The Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Kafilat Ogbara, has urged support for a bill proposing 182 additional legislative seats reserved exclusively for women in Nigeria.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Ogbara stressed that the low number of women in elective positions undermines inclusive governance. “It’s time to dismantle barriers that hinder women’s political participation,” she said.

The bill proposes one reserved seat for women in both chambers of the National Assembly from each state and the FCT, and three extra seats for women in each state House of Assembly. Ogbara emphasized that the bill is about more than numbers—it aims to ensure women’s voices and needs are reflected in policymaking and aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality.

Senator Ireti Kingibe backed the proposal, saying, “This is about unlocking Nigeria’s full potential through inclusive development.”

UNDP’s Country Representative, Elsie Attafuah, hailed the bill as a milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey. She noted that women hold less than 5% of legislative seats and praised Nigerian women’s contributions across sectors, including sports.

Nikky Onyeri, Secretary-General of the Association of Women Traditional Title Holders, described the bill as timely and expressed confidence in its passage, citing President Tinubu’s gender-friendly stance and support from House leadership.