By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.

Prominent civil society organisations on Monday staged a protest at the National Assembly, demanding the immediate passage of the Special Seats Bill aimed at increasing women’s representation in Nigeria’s legislative bodies ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The protest, led by ActionAid Nigeria and the Situation Room, saw activists gather at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, calling on lawmakers to urgently pass the proposed legislation.
Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, described the bill as a matter of justice rather than privilege.
“It is not a privilege. We should not be begging for it. It is something that should be given to us,” Mamedu said. “Women’s political participation has reduced over the years, and that is unacceptable.”

He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to throw his weight behind the bill, noting that recent legislation such as the reintroduced national anthem was passed swiftly.

“If the President puts his weight behind this bill the same way he supported other key bills, it can be passed within days. Passing this bill will write his name in gold for generations to come,” he added.

“Nigeria Must Invest in Its Women” — Ene Obi

Also speaking at the protest, Ene Obi said Nigeria must address systemic imbalances in political representation, particularly for women and persons with disabilities.

Obi, who has worked in over 15 countries, described Nigeria as one of the most challenging environments for inclusive governance.

“We are asking the National Assembly to pass the Special Seats Bill to correct the imbalance in representation. Women, persons with disabilities — all of us must move forward together,” she said.

She linked the issue of political exclusion to broader socio-economic challenges, including unemployment among young Nigerians.

“We have many graduates with no jobs. Young men cannot afford to marry. Young women are waiting because there are no opportunities. We want a better future for our children. Our population is a blessing, but only if we invest in it,” Obi stated.

The activists warned lawmakers against delaying the bill, insisting they would continue advocacy efforts across constituencies and states if necessary.

Responding to the protesters on Democracy Avenue, spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, acknowledged the concerns raised and assured them that their advocacy was being heard.

Rotimi said the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, supports the bill, while Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu is among its sponsors.

He described the current representation figures as a “gross injustice,” noting that only 14 out of 360 members of the House of Representatives are women, while just four women serve in the 109-member Senate. He added that more than 20 state Houses of Assembly have no female lawmakers at all.
“The imperative to address the low level of representation of women is important to both men and women,” Rotimi said. “We have heard you, and your advocacy is reflected in the constitutional amendment bills before the National Assembly.”
According to him, about 40 constitutional amendment bills — including the reserved seats proposal — are expected to be voted on in the coming weeks through an electronic voting system to ensure transparency and accountability.

He urged citizens to complement street protests with direct engagement of their representatives and senators.

“You will know how every member and every senator votes. This is a process that is ongoing, and we encourage you not to give up on your advocacy,” he said.

With the 2027 general elections approaching, civil society groups say the passage of the Special Seats Bill is critical to correcting longstanding gender imbalances in Nigeria’s political landscape.

Protesters vowed to sustain pressure on lawmakers until the bill is passed and assented to, describing it as a historic opportunity to deepen democracy and secure a more inclusive future for Nigeria.