The wives of members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives have increased their support for the proposed Special Seats for Women Bill. The bill seeks to boost women’s representation in political leadership and governance.
The group, known as the House of Representatives Spouses Association (HORSA), said it would work more closely with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC). The goal is to build public support and help secure the passage of the bill.
During a visit to PLAC in Abuja, HORSA Chairperson Fatima Abbas Tajudeen described the proposal as an important step toward giving more women a voice in politics and public service.
She said stronger female participation in government would improve democracy and make leadership more inclusive. Fatima noted that women make up a large part of Nigeria’s population. For that reason, she said they should play a bigger role in decision-making.
According to her, the bill could help close the gap in women’s political representation. More women in leadership positions, she added, would bring fresh ideas and different experiences to policymaking.
To advance the bill, HORSA proposed a joint workshop involving lawmakers, civil society groups, development partners, women’s organisations and other stakeholders.
Fatima explained that the meeting would create room for discussion and help address concerns about the proposal. She said it would also allow supporters to explain the benefits of the bill and gather wider backing.
Public awareness remains important, she added. Many Nigerians, according to her, still do not fully understand the purpose of the legislation.
Responding to the delegation, PLAC Executive Director Clement Nwankwo reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to promoting women’s participation in politics.
He said PLAC has spent years studying policies used in several African countries to improve women’s representation in government.
Nwankwo noted that experiences from South Africa, Senegal and Kenya helped shape the ideas behind the proposed legislation. Those countries, he said, adopted measures that increased the number of women in elected offices and strengthened democratic inclusion.
He stressed that better representation for women remains vital to Nigeria’s democratic growth. Broader participation, he explained, would help ensure that government policies reflect the needs of more citizens.
Supporters of the bill also acknowledged that public misunderstanding remains a major challenge. Many people, they said, still have concerns about the proposal because they lack adequate information.
Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Kafilat Ogbara, called on lawmakers’ spouses to continue their advocacy efforts. She urged them to engage communities and educate the public on the importance of the bill.
Ogbara said their support could help correct misinformation and encourage meaningful discussions. She also stressed that the bill is designed to promote inclusion and not to give special privileges to any group.
According to her, greater participation by women in governance would strengthen democratic institutions and improve representation in policymaking.
Supporters believe the Special Seats for Women Bill could become a major milestone for Nigeria. They argue that it would create more opportunities for women to serve in public office, contribute to national development and help build a more inclusive political system.
