Pressure is mounting on Nigeria’s National Assembly to pass the proposed Special Seats for Women Bill ahead of the 2027 general elections, as advocacy groups warn that time is running out.
Civil society organisations, women’s groups, and international partners have intensified calls for urgent legislative action on the bill, which seeks to create additional seats for women in the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly.
The proposed law aims to address Nigeria’s low level of female political representation. Women currently hold less than five per cent of seats in parliament, one of the lowest rates globally.
At a recent advocacy event, UN Women Country Representative, Beatrice Eyong, said the situation requires deliberate action.
“Women hold just 3.9 percent of parliamentary seats… and this severely limits inclusive decision-making,” she said.
Supporters of the bill argue that it would create up to 182 additional seats for women across federal and state legislatures, helping to close the gender gap in governance.
A coalition backing the bill warned that the release of the 2027 election timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission has narrowed the window for reforms.
“The legislative window… is rapidly narrowing,” the group said, urging lawmakers to act quickly.
The bill, currently part of ongoing constitutional amendment efforts, is expected to go through final readings in the National Assembly.
Advocates say failure to pass it could weaken democratic inclusion and deny women a stronger voice in decision-making, as Nigeria prepares for its next electoral cycle.
