Abuja, Nigeria – Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the Nigerian Senate, is spearheading a legislative effort aimed at increasing the representation of women in governance. The proposed bill seeks to mandate a minimum of 35% inclusion of women in both elective and appointive positions at all levels of government across the nation.
Speaking during a recent town hall meeting focused on women’s political participation, Senator Kingibe expressed concern over the marginalization of women in Nigeria’s political landscape. Despite making up nearly half of the country’s population, women hold less than 5% of seats in the National Assembly.
“This is a glaring imbalance that contradicts our democratic principles,” she stated. “We cannot achieve true national development when half of our population is underrepresented in decision-making processes.”
The senator’s proposed bill aligns with Nigeria’s National Gender Policy and the country’s obligations under international frameworks such as the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The legislation would also pave the way for the creation of special seats for women and introduce legal measures to ensure compliance with the 35% affirmative action benchmark.
Kingibe emphasized that implementing such measures is essential to overcoming long-standing cultural and structural barriers that have hindered women’s political advancement in Nigeria. She called on fellow lawmakers, civil society organizations, and the public to support the bill in the interest of equity and national progress.
The push for greater female inclusion in governance has received backing from various stakeholders, including members of the Senate, who have pledged their commitment to breaking gender barriers and promoting inclusive leadership.
The bill is expected to be presented for debate during the upcoming legislative session.
