By Kingsley Benson
In a major boost for gender inclusion and political representation, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has thrown its full weight behind the Reserved Seats for Women Bill (HB 1349) – a landmark proposal seeking to amend Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution to guarantee special legislative seats for women at both federal and state levels.
The endorsement came during the NGF’s 7th meeting held recently in Abuja, where governors from across the federation reaffirmed their commitment to advancing women’s participation in governance.
The Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, called on his colleagues to rally behind the bill ahead of its scheduled vote between November 4 and 6, 2025.
“Dear colleagues, as you are aware, the vote on the Reserved Seats for Women Bill (HB1349) is going to take place between November 4th and 6th,” he stated. “This bill seeks to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) to establish Reserved Seats for Women in both the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly. The bill aims to address the under-representation of women in legislative bodies by creating special constituencies exclusively contested by women.”
Alhaji AbdulRazaq explained that the provision would be a temporary measure, subject to review after four general election cycles (16 years), to determine whether it should be retained or modified.
“I call on all governors to lend their full support by directly engaging your House of Representatives members, Senators, and State Assembly legislators to ensure this bill passes at both national and state levels,” he urged. “Our collective leadership now will send a clear message about Nigeria’s dedication to fair representation. Let us work together and make sure our voices help move this important bill forward.”
The Bill
The Reserved Seats for Women Bill is designed as a corrective but time-bound mechanism to enhance women’s representation in decision-making institutions. If passed, the constitutional amendment would: Add one Senate seat for women from each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), creating 37 new Senate seats; create one additional House of Representatives seat for women from each state and the FCT, totaling 37 new seats in the lower chamber; and allocate three new seats for women in each of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, adding 108 new state-level seats nationwide.
In total, the bill seeks to expand Nigeria’s legislative structures to ensure that women have a guaranteed voice and presence in the nation’s governance landscape – not as a permanent adjustment, but as a transitional step toward equity.
Legislative Progress
The bill has already passed its second reading in the House of Representatives, but several legislative hurdles remain. For it to become law, it must secure approval by a two-thirds majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, followed by endorsement by at least 24 state assemblies, and finally, Presidential assent.
While these steps are procedurally demanding, the NGF’s united stance is seen by analysts as a critical political endorsement that could influence lawmakers across party lines. For many observers, the governors’ endorsement signals a shifting political culture – one that recognizes the transformative role women can play in building stronger democratic institutions.
