Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman‑Ibrahim, has issued a powerful appeal for the speedy passage of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, spotlighting the stark underrepresentation of women in political office.
Addressing “She Represents House Town Hall/ Strategic Roundtable On The Reserved Seats Bill” in Abuja, the Minister said the outcome of the 2023 general elections is a stark and painful reality that emphasizes the need for collective action to address the systemic barriers that prevent women from participating in decision-making processes.
“women remain overwhelmingly underrepresented in Nigeria’s political architecture.Only 20 women emerged in the National Assembly, and just 48 in State Houses of Assembly; out of over 1,000 female candidates. This accounts for a mere 4.7 percent of elected legislators at both federal and state levels,” she said.
She noted that the total absence of female lawmakers in 14 states translates to silence on critical issues affecting women and families.
“Just 4.5 percent of our federal lawmakers are women ; 20 out of 469. This is not just a statistic; it is a national emergency demanding urgent reform,” she noted.
The Minister commended President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to gender inclusion saying “The Renewed Hope Agenda is indeed all encompassing and it is indeed women’o clock. In addition he has continuously empowers our Ministry to drive policies that advance equity and impact vulnerable lives.”
She also appreciated, the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her support for gender equity, describing her as “a woman who has walked the hard paths, endured the trenches, and emerged with a rare understanding of the terrain” as a three time Senator.
“Her Renewed Hope Initiative continues to offer dignity, relief, and inspiration to women and children across Nigeria. In her, the Nation is blessed with a First Lady who not only understands the struggle, but has thrown her weight fully behind the fight for gender equity, “ She applauded.
She further lauded the leadership of the 10th Senate and House of Representatives for creating a platform to sustain the Reserved Seats Bill conversation, appealing for the need for urgent reform, through the Reserved Seats Bill to create a more inclusive and equitable society.
“The re-adopted national anthem stirs something deep: ‘sovereign motherland.’ But how do we call this land our mother and yet erase her daughters from our legislative halls?” She queried.
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The Minister pointed out that the outcome of the Federal Capital Territory primaries, where no woman secured a ticket despite having qualified female aspirants, is a testament to the entrenched gender biases and structural exclusions in the political architecture.
“Their brilliance, pedigree, and passion were no match for the entrenched gender biases and structural exclusions that continue to haunt our political architecture. If the nation’s capital, our symbol of unity and progress; could not offer a single female candidate a seat, then we must admit: the system is broken,” she queried.
She added that the outcome is a stark reminder that the broken system needs urgent fixing, and collective action is critical to addressing the systemic barriers that prevent women from participating in decision-making processes.
“Despite systemic barriers, the Nigerian woman rises; organised, relentless, and solution-driven. Today, we are not just gathered in fellowship but united as torchbearers of a cause greater than ourselves; a cause that binds our history, shapes our present, and must define our future,” she charged.
The State of Women’s Representation
According to the Minister, the 2023 general elections revealed a dismal picture, with only 20 women emerging in the National Assembly and 48 in State Houses of Assembly, accounting for a mere 4.7% of elected legislators at both federal and state levels.
The Minister noted that the total absence of female lawmakers in 14 states translates to silence on critical issues affecting women and families, further exacerbating the already precarious situation, with far-reaching implications for the country’s development, particularly in areas such as healthcare, education, and economic empowerment.
She said this abysmal representation is a stark reminder of the entrenched gender biases and structural exclusions that continue to haunt Nigeria’s political landscape.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim reaffirmed her commitment to advancing inclusion across political participation, digital access, economic empowerment, peacebuilding, and the informal sector; pledging her unwavering support for a united front in the demand for equity, justice, and visibility though the Renewed Hope Programmes.
“… we will convene a National Roundtable of all stakeholders; political parties, traditional leaders, faith-based organisations, corporate boards, market associations, and rural women collectives, to build a unified demand for change, She announced.
The Minister appealed to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Conference of Speakers, and progressive leaders to Support the Special Seats Bill.
Let history remember that you used your pen to write women into Nigeria’s democratic story.We must act and act now. Let inclusion rise above politics. Let our motherland hear the voices of her daughters and respond.
Also Read: Nasarawa Women Push for Reserved Legislative Seats Ahead of 2027 Polls
As we echo the words of our anthem; “sovereign motherland,” we must ask: what is sovereignty when half the population is excluded from shaping it? we must ask: what is sovereignty when half the population is excluded from shaping it?” She appealed
Suleiman- Ibrahim painted a heartbreaking picture of the daily impact of Women exclusion saying:
“Despite our collective efforts, the Nigerian woman continues to bleed… She bleeds when her dreams are cut short by discriminatory laws, when inclusion bills are blocked on the floor of parliament, and when she is told to wait her turn in a system rigged against her from the start. She even bleeds in her home, when the boy-child is raised to believe in the myth of her inferiority….,”
While thanking men, traditional rulers, Women Groups and faith-based leaders for their support, and resilence, she added that policy alone was not enough, signifying the need for a unified national movement to match the institutional momentum of the Ministry’s mandate to guarantee representation, dignity, and opportunity for women, children, families and the vulnerable through a dynamic social protection system.
“Despite systemic barriers, the Nigerian woman rises; organised, relentless, and solution-driven. Today, we are not just gathered in fellowship but united as torchbearers of a cause greater than ourselves; a cause that binds our history, shapes our present, and must define our future,” she Charged.
The Reserved Seats Bill
The Bill proposes to reserve 74 federal and 108 state seats for women in the nation’s legislature for 16 years in the first instance. The Bill which would ensure the inclusion of women in decision-making, and address issues impacting women and children, is a crucial step towards promoting gender equity and inclusive protection, and transformative development.
The Bill has the potential to revolutionize the country’s politics and ensure that women’s voices are heard and valued.
