On 30 April 2025, I attended the High Level Stakeholders Engagement on the Special Seats Bill in Abuja. It was an urgent national conversation focused on building support for temporary special measures that could transform Nigeria’s gender landscape in governance.
When I walked into the grand hall that morning of the Envoy Hotel as a member of media and a writer, I knew I was not just covering another event. I was witnessing a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey. The Special Seats Bill, currently before the National Assembly and recently passed through its second reading, is not just policy. It is a pathway to justice for Nigerian women who are largely excluded from lawmaking.
Organised by Stand To End Rape (STER) Initiative, the event brought together power players with a shared sense of urgency. From the moment it began, it was clear this was a room full of lawmakers, civil society leaders, religious rulers and international diplomats. The opening remarks from Ambassador Annett Günther and Head of the board of STER Dr. Ibrahim Banaru Abubakar set the tone. Their message was simple: Nigeria can no longer afford to keep women out of politics.
What is the Special Seats Bill about?
The Special Seats Bill proposes one new seat for women per state in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, along with three new seats for women in every State House of Assembly. This would mean 74 new seats at the national level and 108 at the state level.
The bill was first introduced in 2022 but did not pass. This revised version reduces the number of proposed seats after concerns about expanding the legislature too much. Still, the goal remains the same. To address the glaring lack of women in Nigerian politics.
Currently, there are only four women in the Senate and 16 in the House of Representatives out of 469 members. That is less than five percent. At the state level, just 55 women hold seats out of 990. Nigeria ranks 178 out of 182 countries for women’s representation in parliament.
The problem is the system, not women
Throughout the event, a clear consensus emerged. The current political structure makes it almost impossible for women to succeed. It is expensive, aggressive and often dangerous. From the very beginning, the odds are stacked against women.
Some critics on social media say the bill is unfair to men or that women should simply vote for other women.The core problem is overlooked: systemic barriers of party gatekeeping and resource inequality mean women aren’t on the ballot.
Nigerian political parties, dominated by men, act as gatekeepers, severely limiting women’s participation as candidates. Consequently, a bill like this isn’t a threat—it’s a vital measure needed to ensure women have a chance to be voted for.
The Special Seats Bill is not a threat. It is a solution
Temporary special measures like this bill are not novel; over 130 countries worldwide, many across Africa, have implemented similar solutions. Nations like Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda have successfully used reserved seats to empower women in gaining experience and accessing leadership. T
his isn’t about permanent gender division in politics, but about urgently rectifying decades of exclusion so Nigerian women can eventually compete equally. As one speaker aptly put it, without a foot in the door, they’ll remain perpetually knocking.
STER’s efforts in support of the Special Seats Bill
Some key details to mention are some of the activities (STER) has driven in support of the bill. Momentum is building behind the Special Seats Bill, spearheaded by STER’s sustained multi-state campaign. Through grassroots town halls, community engagement, strategic partnerships, thorough research, and active involvement in Senate proceedings, STER has garnered significant support, evidenced by over 1,000 signatures on their social media campaign. Attendees at the recent event further solidified this growing movement by signing in support.
Why this bill must pass now
This bill represents a real opportunity for Nigerian women to begin repairing a system that has marginalised them for far too long. Imperfect as it may be, it’s a vital starting point. The hope generated at the event must now translate into urgent action.
This bill needs to pass, and it needs to happen now. Delaying this essential fix for another election cycle is a cost we cannot bear.
