NIGERIA: THE RESERVED SEATS BILL - HB 1349

 In Nigeria's National Assembly (NASS), women hold only 4.43% of seats, far below the 35% gender parity international standard target. With women constituting about half of the population, this poor showing is unacceptable. The Reserved Seats Bill (RSB) - HB 1349 is an initiative designed to improve women's representation in Nigeria's NASS and State Houses of Assembly. In the past few days, a number of advocacy engagements have taken place to explain the Bill and democratise same for media, civil society, citizens, organised private sector and other critical stakeholders. I was a valued participant at at least two of these critical engagements: 1) Wednesday, 23rd July 2025 at Abuja Continental Hotel: Programme anchored by Women Radio's CEO, Mrs. Toun Okewale Shonaiya and supported by the Speaker, House of Representatives, CSOs, etc. 2) Tuesday, 29th July 2025 at the House of Representatives. This was an extended media briefing, again anchored by Women Radio in collaboration with the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs & Social Development. The Bill was sponsored by Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu (CFR). 

L-R: Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa & Ms. Beatrice Eyong (UN Women Country Representative for Nigeria & ECOWAS) on 23rd July @ Abuja Continental Hotel. We were advocating for the passage of the RSB - HB 1349...

In his speech at Abuja Continental Hotel, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbass (Ph.D, GCFR) gave an inspiring speech. HB 1349 alligns with our legislative agenda on inclusion of women. Statistics of women's representation are dismal. There are two other Bills related to HB 1349. They are HB 1189 and HB 1421. We should note that a female candidate may need to campaign througout a whole Senatorial District. We need to examine all the proposals in these related Bills in order to make them more practical. INEC needs to ease administrative complexity for women. When women seat at the table, the table becomes stronger. This Bill will be withdrawn after 16 years (i.e. 4 electoral cycles from now). 

No seating member of the NASS or State Houses of Assembly would lose his/her seat. I am aware that many men are apprehensive. But the Reserved Seats are only additions. This roundtable should declare a clear advocacy plan - How do we make these Bills key topics in the State Houses of Assembly, Committees for Women in Parliament, among First Ladies, etc? We need to transform these Bills into media-friendly advocacy. There should be Reserved Seats Desks in the House of Representatives, Senate and State Houses of Assembly. We should transform from ad hoc enthusiasm to structured engagement. We need lobbying and advocacy committees. There should be unity of purpose and uniformity of tone/effort.

The RSB is a Nigerian project. We have seen past efforts fail because of lack of effective strategy. This current effort must not fail. History would judge us for our role. We can move the needle. The cost is small, but the reward would be substantial. There should be internal structures. State governments should should work with the Houses of Assembly to pass the Bill. CSOs should strategise. Do not personalise the process. The media should remain at the vanguard of the advocacy. Specific roles should be assigned. Advocacy is not persecution. We will succeed only if we engage across genders. We should address imbalances in female representation without any backlash. We should give the passage of the Bill the seriousness it deserves.

Some of the others who spoke at the meeting were: Rt. Hon. Kafilat Ogbara (Chair, House of Reps Committee on Women Affairs); Bukie Shonibare (Invictus Africa); Ms. Ene Ede (Gender Advocate); Felicia Onibon (100 Women Lobby Group); Barr. Ebere Ifendu (President Women in Politics Forum); Dr. Helen Taiwo Adebakin (Southern Women Empowerment Forum); Lois Auta (PWD Advocate); Irene Awuna (President League of Women Voters); Yeye Bunmi Dipo-Salami (ED BAOBAB); Tobechukwu; Moremi Ojodu (SSA to the President on Community Engagement); Wan Goodie (Chinese Embassy); Ene Obi (Former CEO Action Aid); Princess Obels (Director The Electoral Hub); Seun Akinbaloye (Channels TV)

Seun Okinbaloye spoke about 'Media Advocacy Strategy: A Roadmap for Advancing Gender Representation through the Power of Media'. As regards advocacy, we need to be smarter than the last time. I propose the following:

*Strategic framing: Inform the coomunity, stoop to conquer, media should present the affrimative action proposal.

*Partner with Media Houses and reputable Blogs. Consider other partnerships.

*Advocacy should be data-driven. This should also include story-telling especially stories of women that touch hearts and spark action.

             Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa @ the House of Representatives for advocacy on the RSB

*Use digital platforms that democratise advocacy.

*Content creation: Creativity turns scarcity into opportunity

*Note the critical role of development partners

*Win the heart of young Nigerians because they use digital tools better than oldies.

*Agree on one hashtag 

*Create a standard 'pledge' e.g. 'I pledge to stand against cultural/societal discrimination against women and girls'...

L-R: Ms. Ene Ede, Yeye Bunmi Dipo-Salami, Barr. Ebere Ifendu & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa @ Abuja Continental Hotel for advocacy on the RSB...

The advocacy continued at the House of Representatives with the Media briefing at the House of Representatives on the 29th of July 2025.

Committes earlier inaugurated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the 23rd of July 2025, outlined their workplans:

1) Community Engagement & Mobilisation led by Kehinde Charity Awojola:

We need to penetrate at the local government level. The 36 states and the FCT. The 774 LG Coordinators. We should foster a sense of ownership among women's groups, CSOs, influential individuals, etc. Have Town Hall meetings and elicit traditional rulers' commitment.

2) Coalition-building for Community & Stakeholder Engagement led by Rt. Hon. Bunmi Adelugba:

Enagage and mobilise key stahkeholders. Stakeholder mapping. One-on-one meetings. Social & traditional media campaigns. Consult CSOs, traditional institutions, professional associations, youth groups, student groups and PWDs. Categorise stakeholders according to their interests. For coalition-building, we should advocate and lobby. We should adjust our statistics based on feedback and train some stakeholders.

3) Content Development & Secretariat led by Tochukwu Prosper: 

Diseminate relevant info to demographics. Every progressive Bill passed into Law should positively impact the people. Explain the Bill to the populace and state clearly what the Bill is not. We shall be visible on Instagram and other social media platforms.

4) Legislative liaison led by Yeye Bunmi Dipo-Salami:

Create robust strategy for passage of Bill by October 2025. We should cultivate 'foundational relationships' in order to come up with a robust strategy. Liaise with formal and informal legislative influencers and networks. Engage in legislative lobbying at the state and federal levels. We should develop messages for lobbying. Deploy strategic communication (StratCom) and monitor proceeding with a view to teasing out issues relevant to the ventual passage of the Bill. Also keep track of 'Yes votes related to the Bill...

5) Communication & Public Relations (PR) led by Rebecca Sonuga:

Our goal is to ensure that every Nigerian understands the RSB: HB 1181, HB 1421 & HB 1349. We shall use simple language that everyone can understand. Traditional and socila media should be engaged in the campaign. Use Hashtag RSB. Men and women should work side by side for the passage of the Bill. We are targetting maximum visibility for the Bill. We shall create relevant visuals on line. Legislation without communication is limitation. We shall roll out captivating videos and elicit the support of influencers. Strategic placement of content about the Bill in Editorials and Op-Ed pages. We shall debunk mis-information. This Bill is not about unqualified women, but it's about inclusion. We are very conscious of language inclusion - communication materials would be translated into Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo and Pidgin. We shall also roll out a 'fact sheet', stating clearly what the Bill is and what it's not.

With such robust strategic engagement planned by the committees, we hope this Bill would be eventually passed by both the Lower and Upper Houses and eventually assented to by the President...

   

 

NIGERIA: DOMESTICATION OF THE MAPUTO PROTOCOL

 On the 26th of June 2025, a 'Stakeholders' meeting on domesticating the Maputo Protocol in Nigeria' was convened by 'BAOBAB for Women's Human Rights'. The theme of the parley was 'Paving the way for women's rights & political power in Nigeria'. The Executive Director, BAOBAB, Yeye Olubunmi Dipo-Salami facilitated the engaging meeting held at Novare Mall Hall 2, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja 

L-R: Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa (Representative, Women Affairs Secretariat - WAS Abuja) & Yeye Bunmi Dipo-Salami (ED BAOBAB)

Some of the objectives of the meeting are:

* To move the needle on the domestication of the Maputo Protocol (MP)

* To assess effort and progress towards the domestication of the MP in Nigeria

* To engage strategic actors, raise awareness and foster dialogue on the relevance and urgency of domesticating the MP

* To present female politicians who recently completed a twelve week mentorship programme

* Identify practical strategies and entry points for transformative advocacy to speed up the demestication process

The meeting began with an overview of the agenda, workshop objectives and participants' expectations. My expectation:

* Participants emerge from the meeting with a firm resolve to stop working in silos

* Gain more insight about what the Women Affairs Secretariat (WAS) could do in addition to her current effort to accelerate the process of domesticating the MP

* More strategies to create awareness about the MP

Four government Agencies were represented:

* Office of the Senator representing the FCT in the Upper House - Sen. Ireti Kingibe (Represented by Mrs. Mweuese Anande) 

* Women Affairs Secretariat (WAS) Mandate Secretary, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi (Represented by Dr. Dayo Kusa)

* National Institute for Legislative & Democratic Studies (NILDS) DG Prof. Abubakar Suleiman (Represented online by Dr. Emily Ihide)

* The National Assembly (NASS) represented

I noted that the DG of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman is a gender sensitive CEO and male champion for women's rights who I have encountered on many occasions. The inroad for the MP into the NASS could be the 'Special Seats Bill' now before members and the Gender Technical Unit (GTU). WAS has been working in many areas in consonance with the provisions of the MP, without specifically linking same to it.

I informed participants that some of the areas where WAS could buy into the advocacy are:

* Working with the wives of traditional leaders in the six Area Councils of the FCT. The forum is coordinated by the wife of the Ona of Abaji. WAS also penetrates the grassroots through the Women Development Officers (WDOs) in the six Area Councils for women's empowerment, etc.

* The Accelerators' Programme for the training of 40+ young ladies in life skills in order to accelerate the process towards gender equity and eventual equality. This is in collaboration with UN Women, Abuja

* The yearly celebration of 16 Days' Activism Against Gender Based Violence (GBV)

* WAS has been identified by the World Bank as the hub/platform for the actualisation and implemantation of the contents of the Disability Act in the FCT. Furthermore, it's worthy of note that the Disability Unit is situated in the Mandate Secretary's Office. A three-day program on the Disability Act, sponsored by the World Bank was held last month.

* WAS shall soon publish her own simplified version of the VAPP Act and Child Rights Act.

The government agencies, and indeed NGOs were admonished to indentify specific aspects of their work that could significantly contribute to the domestication of the MP effectively in practice. A major outcome of the meeting was the resolve to revitalise the existing coalition for the MP in Nigeria - CODMAP. WAS and other agencies were admitted into the ad hoc Steering Committee for the effective domestication of the MP. The representative of WRAPA (Women's Rights Advancement & Protection Alternative) informed us that a simplified version of the MP has been published by their organisation.

Then the selected female politicians from the six Area Councils of the FCT who had been trained for 12 weeks under the auspices of BAOBAB were unveiled. One of their mentors/trainers, Hon. Bunmi Adelugba, first female Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly was present at the meeting. She recounted her experiences during the mentorship programme. The mentees also put on record their challenges, gains and hope for the future.

L-R: Hon. Bunmi Adelugba (First female Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly & one of the mentors for the young female politicians in the FCT during the twelve week programme) & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa

On the whole, the parley achieved its aims. A steering committee was set up to accelerate the process. There is buy-in from both government agencies and CSOs. There's commitment to re-vitalise the existing coalition for the effective domestication of the MP. Let's keep the momentum towards making the MP a household concept via ensuring the MP is effectively understood and disseminated in the FCT and indeed Nigeria...

   

NIGERIA: A PEER REVIEW COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE FOR SGBV

 A Peer Review Community Sexual & Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Data Integrity Pledge Commitment (a.k.a. The Rockview Accord) was signed by stakeholders in Abuja on the 11th of February 2025. It was convened by Hadis Foundation in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and International Institute for Democracy & Electoral Assistance (IDEA). The Preamble of the Pledge was:

'We, the undersigned members of the High Level Multi-Agency Team (HI-MAT) and the Service Provider Accountability Resource Committee (SPARC), across states hereby pledge our unwavering commitment to the establishment and implementation of a robust Peer-Review Community of Practice (PRCP). This pledge is rooted in our shared vision to enhance data accountability, improve the prevention of SGBV and ensure justice for survivors and families affected by SGBV across Nigeria...'

The collectice Vision, exact meaning of  a PRCP, raison d'etre for a PRCP, rules guiding the PRCP, reward for commitment and what members were committing to were clearly spelt out. Some of the state HI-MAT and SPARC present were: Adamawa, Edo, Ekiti and Kwara

L-R: Barr. Shirley Atame (she emerged Chairperson, of the Peer-Review Community of Practice for SGBV Data Integrity. Shirley is the representative of Ekiti state govt) & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa

The Leadership of the Community of Practice is as follows:

*Chairperson: Ekiti state - Barr. Shirley Atame

*Secretary: FCT - Sunday Agbabiaka

*Member: Adamawa state - Amos Yusuf Sunday

*Member: Anambra state - Yohana Rachael

*Member: Edo state - Esohe Uwuigbe

*Member: Kano state - Barr. Fatima Ahmad

*Member: Kwara state - Funke Banjo

In her opening remarks, Founder Hadis Foundation, Dr. Amina Salihu aptly described herself as an 'Activator Feminist' who is a catalyst for noble causes like the SGBV Community of Practice. At the panel discussion, various states highlighted their challenges with more advanced states in the SGBV Data Integrity journey sharing their experiences as to how they navigated difficult terrains. There were issues about Situation Rooms, Relationship between HI-MAT and SPARC, the fact that donors do not support the release of data generated through funding by them, irregularity of meetings between HI-MAT and SPARC in states, etc.

What then was the adopted action plan?

* Participating states should form a WhatsApp or Telegram group

* A reward sysytem for best-performing states should be instituted

* There should be sanctions for non-performing states

* There should be quarterly meetings between HI-MAT and SPARC in states. At the national level, there should be yearly convening. 

* Awareness should be created about the need for inter-agency collaboration on data

* Google forms should be made available to fill in in-coming reports

The idea of the PRCP is indeed commendable. The current high tempo should be maintained in order to ensure the integrity of data in the SGBV millieu. I congratulate all the elected officers and wish them a successful tenure in the service of the nation...  

NIGERIA: FIRST HANDBOOK ON ETHICAL AI

 Between February 13th to 16th 2025, I was a major stakeholder at the 'Build Tech Camp' (BTC) held at Ibeto Hotel, Abuja. The Camp was organized by Hadis Foundation in collaboration with Luminate Foundation. The aim of the BTC was the Training of Trainers (ToT) who would eventually step down the knowledge acquired in their constituencies. The project is under the 'Building Agency through Ethical Tech Application across Universities' (Build Tech) Project funded by Luminate Foundation.

Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa, experiencing Virtual Reality first hand, @ 67 years young, courtesy of 'Human Angle' 3D Tech. I was 'transported' via virtual reality to Maiduguri from Ibeto Hotel, Abuja. I 'witnessed' a day in the life of a family in the insurgency infested region! The experience felt so real...

Some of the Trainers were:

*Dr. Amina Salihu - Founder, Hadis Foundation

*Adeyemi Okediran

*Nurudeen Yakubu

*Chioma Aguiegbo

*Femi Olarinoye

*Human Angle Team -Virtual Reality Tech Firm

The ToT approach enables participants gain tools and extend their learning by training others while providing creative solutions. This would have a ripple effect on critical tech practices. The delegates were from two states in Nigeria: Kaduna and Kwara. 

The BTC sought to:

* Promote generational awareness and skill-enabling in tech for the public good.

*Equip youth leaders across diverse backgrounds with the competence to 

- navigate the online space ethically

- advocate an online safety culture

- raise awareness and generate public interest in tech use across sectors

* Test and refine the first-of-its-kind handbook on ethical tech in Nigeria

*Develop a network of ToT participants/leadres to diseminate technology at the grassroots.

*Gather feedback to enhance step-down training 

*Foster commitment to creating tech-based solutions for vulnerable and under-served communities

The major achievement of the BTC was that the first-of-its-kind 160 page Handbook on Ethical Use of Tech In Nigeria was throughly dissected and refined by the delegates in a 'democratic' setting. The process was inclusive and all comments, viewspoints, residual knowledge, etc were aired and debated. I look forward to the final version of the Handbook...

                                     Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa: 2nd day @ the Build Tech Camp