ABUJA, NIGERIA- Women groups from across Nigeria on Wednesday staged a protest at the National Assembly in Abuja, calling for the immediate creation of special seats for women in both federal and state legislatures.
The demonstration, which was peaceful, featured placards, chants, and coordinated advocacy messages demanding greater female representation in Nigeria’s political structure.
Protesters argued that the proposed Special Seats Bill remains a necessary intervention to address persistent gender imbalance in governance and improve inclusivity in decision-making processes.
As of now, there has been no formal statement from the leadership of the National Assembly directly responding to the protesters’ demands.
However, legislative insiders indicate that discussions on the Special Seats Bill are still ongoing within constitutional review committees, with some lawmakers reportedly urging state assemblies to support its passage.
The bill seeks to reserve dedicated parliamentary seats for women as part of broader reforms aimed at increasing gender balance in political representation.
Observers say the renewed agitation reflects growing pressure on lawmakers to take decisive action ahead of future electoral cycles in Nigeria.
Women’s rights advocates have long argued that Nigeria’s political system continues to underrepresent women despite their significant population and contributions to public life.
The protest at the National Assembly is the latest in a series of advocacy efforts calling for legal reforms to ensure gender inclusion in governance structures.
Political analysts believe the visibility of the demonstration could influence ongoing deliberations, though no timeline has been given for a final decision on the bill.
For now, stakeholders await an official response from the National Assembly leadership as pressure continues to mount from civil society groups and gender equality advocates across the country.
The situation remains under watch as Nigeria’s constitutional amendment process continues in Abuja.
Further updates are expected as lawmakers resume deliberations in coming days Nigeria today.
