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).
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 This Bill will be withdrawn after 16 years (i.e. 4 electoral cycles from now).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.
*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'...
