Over 750 women are set to march to the National Assembly in Abuja on Monday to demand the passage of the Reserved Seats Bill, a proposal aimed at securing greater representation for women in Nigeria’s legislature.
Mobilised under the Women’s Political Participation–Technical Working Group (WPP–TWG), the women will assemble at the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development at 9:00 a.m. before marching to the National Assembly complex by 10:00 a.m. to submit a memorandum. A high-level stakeholders and media engagement is also scheduled for later in the day at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel. The action coincides with a national public hearing on constitutional reforms.
Chairman of the WPP–TWG, Ebere Ifendu, described the march as a collective demonstration of unity and determination by women across the country to make their voices heard in governance.
“The Reserved Seats Bill is not just about numbers; it is about securing women’s rightful place in governance and ensuring that their voices are heard where decisions affecting their lives are made,” she said.
She encouraged media houses to highlight the action and stand in solidarity with women’s advocacy efforts.
Currently, women occupy less than 10 percent of elective positions in Nigeria despite making up almost half of the population. Advocates of the bill argue that creating constitutionally reserved seats in the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly is a necessary corrective step to address gender imbalance and strengthen inclusive democracy.
The women’s action underscores a united front, showing that women across Nigeria are ready to stand together to claim their rightful place in leadership and governance.
By Miracle Chidinma Amaechi
