Reps’ Youth Committee To Champion Women’s Representation Bill

The House of Representatives committee on Youths in Parliament has pledged to lead the campaign for a constitutional amendment that would create special reserved seats for women in federal and state legislatures.

Chairman of the Committee, Mr Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala, announced the decision at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, organised by the Legislative Advocacy Committee on the Reserved Seat for Women bill, set up by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen with the mandate to mobilise lawmakers and stakeholders for the bill.

The bill, backed by Speaker Dr Abbas seeks to create 108 additional seats in the National and State Assemblies, to be contested exclusively by women.

It is seen as part of efforts to improve gender balance and representation in Nigeria’s political system.

At the interactive session, the committee on youth in parliament was inaugurated to carry out campaigns in favour of the bill and to lobby other lawmakers to support the bill.

Alao-Akala said that the committee endorses the bill and will do everything within its powers to ensure the bill is passed.

Mr Alao-Akala said youth members of parliament would spearhead nationwide advocacy to ensure the bill gains widespread acceptance among lawmakers and the public.

“We will take this campaign head-on “The bill doesn’t threaten anyone’s position; it simply creates space for inclusion. We must help people understand that it strengthens governance and national development.” he said.

The lawmaker added that the committee, which played a major role in the “Not Too Young To Run” campaign that opened the door for young people in politics, would now use its platform to advance women’s participation.

Earlier the State holders led by Executive Director of the Ene Obi Centre for Development, Mrs Ene Obi described the move by young lawmakers as “historic”, saying it signals a new era of cooperation between generations in promoting equality.

“Those who benefited from youth inclusion are now fighting for women’s inclusion,”
“That’s the kind of leadership Nigeria needs.” she said

Chairman House Committee on Women Affairs,
Kafilat Ogbara said there was growing political will to pass the bill, noting that both the executive and legislative arms appear aligned on the need for reform.

“Nigeria’s record on women’s representation has been poor, “This bill is not just about gender; it’s about national image and credibility. Many times, we lose our voting rights in international forums because we lack the required number of women in our delegations.”

She commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Dr Abbas Tajudeen and for showing what she described as “rare commitment” to gender inclusion, adding that “there is no better time than now” to pass the bill.

Special Assistant to the Speaker on Women Affairs,
Yeside Olasimbo said the endorsement by the Youth in Parliament Committee would make it easier to lobby other members.

“They have opened their hands to us, and that’s a beautiful moment for Nigerian women,” she said.
If approved, the Reserved Seats Bill would mark a significant milestone in Nigeria’s long-running struggle to improve women’s political representation.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji