The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim has called for the swift passage of the proposed Women’s Special Seats Bill, declaring that Nigeria can no longer continue to ignore underrepresentation of women in governance if it is to deepen democracy and accelerate national development.
The Minister made the call in a goodwill message delivered on her behalf by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Asanye Nko Esuabana, during the 2026 National Assembly Open Week held in Abuja.
The Minister applauded the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, for institutionalising the National Assembly Open Week, describing the initiative as a landmark platform that promotes transparency, accountability, citizens engagement, and democratic governance.
She noted that the presentation of the 10th Assembly’s scorecard reflects Nigeria’s growing democratic maturity but stressed that the nation’s democratic journey must now be strengthened through deliberate policies that guarantee greater inclusion of women in elective positions.
Highlighting recent political developments ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Minister disclosed that sustained high-level engagements with Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have already produced significant breakthroughs, leading to the emergence of female candidates in states that previously had no female representation, including Imo and Katsina States, while Lagos State once again produced a female Deputy Governorship candidate.
According to her, these milestones demonstrate that strong political will, backed by sustained advocacy, can dismantle long-standing barriers limiting women’s participation in politics.
As Nigeria’s apex institutional mechanism for advancing the rights and interests of women, children, families, and vulnerable groups, the Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with the National Assembly, Development partners, Civil Society Organizations and other stakeholders to ensure that the constitutional reforms surrounding the Women’s Special Seats Bill achieve lasting national impact.
Addressing concerns surrounding the proposed Electoral College model for the Women’s Special Seats Bill, the Minister maintained that although the legislative mechanism had evolved through compromise, the objective of expanding women’s representation remained unchanged.
She explained that the proposal to create 12 additional Senate seats, 37 House of Representatives seats, and 108 State House of Assembly seats under a 16-year sunset clause represents a realistic and strategic opportunity to reverse decades of systemic exclusion of women from legislative decision-making.
To safeguard the credibility of the initiative, she advocated robust legal provisions within the Electoral Act to insulate the Electoral College from political manipulation and ensure that elected female legislators remain accountable to the Nigerian people.
The Minister further announced that the Ministry is reviving its Women Political Empowerment Centres across the six geopolitical zones.
The Centres, which will be managed in collaboration with experienced Civil Society Organizations, will provide leadership development, technical training, mentorship, campaign support, and capacity-building programmes for aspiring women leaders across all political parties.
She emphasized that the initiative represents a new national approach to women’s political participation that rises above partisan interests and focuses squarely on strengthening democracy and inclusive governance.
“The National Assembly Open Week is a remarkable demonstration of the legislature’s commitment to transparency, accountability and inclusive governance.
It reflects the steady growth of our democratic institutions.”
“While the mechanism has changed, the mission remains uncompromised. The proposed Women’s Special Seats Bill provides Nigeria with a practical and historic opportunity to end the systemic exclusion of women from legislative decision-making.”
Speaking further the Minister stated “Women’s political empowerment transcends partisan politics. It is a national development imperative that demands collective commitment from government, political parties, civil society and every Nigerian.”
“By reviving the Women Political Empowerment Centres across the six geopolitical zones, we are building a sustainable pipeline of competent, confident and capable women leaders who will shape Nigeria’s future.”
The Honourable Minister congratulated the leadership and members of the 10th National Assembly for their commitment to democratic reforms and urged all stakeholders to seize the opportunity presented by the National Assembly Open Week to build national consensus around constitutional reforms that will guarantee inclusive representation and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
Ahmed Lawan Danbazau Mnipr
Head.Press and Public Relations Dept.(FMWASD)
