Strengthening Women’s Political Representation: Key Takeaways from the National Dialogue on the Special Seats Bill
Source: Plac Nigeria
As part of the 2026 National Assembly Open Week, the House of Representatives convened the National Dialogue on the Electoral College Model for the Special Seats Bill, bringing together legislators, government officials, development partners, civil society organisations, women leaders, and governance experts to examine the revised proposal and build consensus around one of Nigeria’s most significant proposed constitutional reforms on women’s political representation.
Delivering the remarks of House Speaker Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, described the Special Seats Bill as a defining opportunity for the 10th National Assembly to expand women’s representation. While acknowledging the growing momentum behind the Bill, he stressed that advocacy must extend beyond the National Assembly to the State Houses of Assembly, where constitutional amendments must also secure approval.
In her welcome remarks, Honourable Kafilat Ogbara, Chairperson, House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, described the Bill as a practical response to Nigeria’s persistent gender gap in elective office. Chair of the dialogue, Rt. Hon. Patricia Olubunmi Etteh, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, urged stakeholders to build consensus around the reform and ensure that history remembers this generation for choosing inclusion over exclusion.
As part of the 2026 National Assembly Open Week, the House of Representatives convened the National Dialogue on the Electoral College Model for the Special Seats Bill, bringing together legislators, government officials, development partners, civil society organisations, women leaders, and governance experts to examine the revised proposal and build consensus around one of Nigeria’s most significant proposed constitutional reforms on women’s political representation.
Delivering the remarks of House Speaker Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, described the Special Seats Bill as a defining opportunity for the 10th National Assembly to expand women’s representation. While acknowledging the growing momentum behind the Bill, he stressed that advocacy must extend beyond the National Assembly to the State Houses of Assembly, where constitutional amendments must also secure approval.
In her welcome remarks, Honourable Kafilat Ogbara, Chairperson, House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, described the Bill as a practical response to Nigeria’s persistent gender gap in elective office. Chair of the dialogue, Rt. Hon. Patricia Olubunmi Etteh, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, urged stakeholders to build consensus around the reform and ensure that history remembers this generation for choosing inclusion over exclusion.