Coalition Urges Fast-Track of Women's Reserved Seats Bill

A coalition, led by Ham Adejar, has called on the Nigerian National Assembly to fast-track the passage of the reserved seats for women bill, specifically House Bill 1349 and Senate Bill 550. This appeal follows the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) announcement of the 2027 general election timetable.

The coalition emphasizes the urgent need for legislative action to create 182 reserved seats for women across the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as state houses of assembly. They note that Nigeria has one of the lowest levels of female parliamentary representation globally, with women occupying less than five percent of seats in the National Assembly.

This enduring imbalance reflects structural barriers that weaken governance and erode public confidence in democratic institutions. The coalition urges members of the 10th National Assembly to prioritize the rapid passage of these bills within the remaining legislative timeframe, as women across 36 states prepare to contest for these positions.