By Mary Ikoku
For decades, Nigerian women have fought to be seen, heard, and equitably represented in governance. Their struggle for inclusion has been long, winding, and at times, heartbreaking. Yet, through every setback, their resolve has remained unshaken. Now, with a fresh wave of legislative attention and civil society momentum, the fight for the passage of the Gender Bills — especially the Reserved Seats Bill — is entering what may be its final and most decisive chapter.
The movement for gender equality in Nigeria’s political landscape didn’t begin yesterday. From the early activism of trailblazers like Chief (Mrs) Margaret Ekpo, Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, Hajia Gambo Sawaba, Oby Nwankwo, and Hajia Laila Dongoyaro, to the strategic engagements by advocacy groups in the 7th and 8th National Assemblies, the seeds were sown over time. However, it was during the 9th Assembly that momentum peaked. Women leaders in the National Assembly, such as Rt. Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, spearheaded the Special Seats Bill, aiming to reserve seats for women in federal and state legislatures. Crucially, Nkeiruka wasn’t alone. Then Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila co-sponsored the bill — an extraordinary act of male allyship that lent weight and legitimacy to the cause.
But on March 1, 2022, the Nigerian National Assembly voted against all five proposed Gender Bills, including: Special Seats for Women in Parliament, Indigeneship Rights for Women, Citizenship for Foreign Spouses of Nigerian Women, 35% Affirmative Action in Political Parties, and Ministerial and Commissioner Gender Quota. The rejection was a national blow. Yet, it sparked an unprecedented response — hundreds of Nigerian women, led by organizations like Womanifesto, Emerge Women, ActionAid Nigeria, WARD-C, and many others, occupied the gates of the National Assembly, their message loud and clear: we will not be invisible. Voices like Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, Dr. Ene Obi, Mary Ikoku, Ireti Bakare, Ndi Kato, Ihuoma Obibi, Ebere Ifendu, and many others became the conscience of a nation.
The movement has also gained momentum with the involvement of new advocates like Osasu Igbinedion-Ogwuche of TOS Foundation, who has been leveraging technology and storytelling to track lawmakers’ positions on the bill.
Fast forward to the present, and hope is rising again. A new generation of male allies is stepping forward, notably Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who has not only sponsored the Reserved Seats Bill (HB 1349) but is actively championing its passage. With backing from Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and the support of cross-party legislators, the bill is no longer seen as “a women’s bill” — it is a nation-building bill. Deputy Speaker Kalu’s leadership, from consultations to public speeches, has reinforced the idea that inclusion is not a favour to women — it is a constitutional necessity.
As we enter the final push, Emerge Women Development Initiative is gearing up for a robust media engagement and social media campaign. Through our SheThePeople campaign, we’ll be leveraging the power of storytelling, media outreach, and strategic social media engagement to drive conversations, build support, and mobilize citizens to demand action from their representatives. We’ll be shining a spotlight on the Reserved Seats Bill, highlighting the importance of women’s representation in governance, and showcasing the impact of gender-inclusive policies on Nigerian communities.
This is the last lap, and every voice, every action counts. From protest to passage, the advocacy for gender-inclusive legislation has become one of the most persistent civic demands in Nigeria’s recent history. It’s a call that transcends party lines, regions, and generations. From rural market women to tech-savvy youth, voices are rising to say: Nigeria’s democracy must reflect its diversity.
The Reserved Seats Bill is not a handout — it’s a corrective mechanism to rebalance decades of systemic exclusion. For every girl dreaming of public office, for every woman whose competence has been sidelined, this Bill is a promise that their country sees and values them.
As the 10th National Assembly prepares to vote again, the moment calls for courage — the kind shown by those who marched, spoke out, wrote policy, and stood firm in the face of rejection. It’s time for allies — men and women in power — to recognize that empowering women is not a favour, but a fundamental democratic obligation. We stand united in our demand for change. We will not be ignored. We will rise, we will push, and we will pass these bills — not someday, but now.
Mary Ikoku is a Nigerian writer and advocate who has been involved in the pursuit of gender equality, inclusive democracy and women’s rights in Nigeria.
