Coalition Warns Against Delay on Women’s Reserved Seats Bill

The Reserved Seats for Women Bill Campaign Coalition has cautioned the National Assembly against further delay in the passage of proposed legislation seeking to increase women’s representation in Nigeria’s legislative bodies, warning that the window for meaningful reform ahead of the 2027 general election is rapidly closing.

The coalition’s call followed the release of the 2027 General Election timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which it said has effectively set a countdown for lawmakers to conclude work on pending constitutional amendments.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the coalition stressed that House Bill 1349 and Senate Bill 550, which seek to create 182 additional reserved seats for women across the Senate, the House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly, must be treated as a matter of legislative urgency.

According to the group, the publication of the electoral calendar provides clarity for political parties, aspirants and institutions, but also underscores a critical reality: time is running out for the 10th National Assembly to enact reforms that would guarantee more inclusive political representation before the next general elections.

The coalition lamented that Nigeria continues to rank among countries with the lowest levels of female parliamentary representation globally, with women occupying less than five percent of seats in the National Assembly.

It described the imbalance as more than a statistical concern, arguing that persistent underrepresentation of women reflects deep-rooted structural barriers that weaken representative governance and diminish public confidence in democratic institutions.

The proposed Reserved Seats for Women Bill, the coalition explained, is designed as a time-bound corrective mechanism to operate for an initial period of 16 years. It said the measure would accelerate progress toward balanced representation while maintaining the competitiveness and integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.

“This is a measured, constitutional reform aligned with democratic best practice,” the statement noted, adding that women across the country’s 36 states are prepared to contest, lead and serve if given a fair and enabling framework.

The coalition further challenged the 469 members of the 10th National Assembly to demonstrate political will by prioritising and fast-tracking consideration of the bills within the remaining legislative timeframe.

It warned that failure to act would mean approaching the 2027 polls with the same structural inequities that have long limited women’s full and equal participation in the democratic process.

“The moment for reform is now. The electoral clock is ticking,” the coalition declared.