Hundreds of Nigerian women poured into Abuja on Monday, rallying for the creation of women-only parliamentary seats—a move they believe is key to breaking the cycle of gender inequality in Africa’s most populous nation.
More than 1,000 demonstrators arrived in a convoy of buses, vans, and even a truck blasting Afrobeats across the city. Their mission was clear: submit thousands of petition signatures to the House of Representatives committee currently reviewing constitutional reforms.
“We want the legislature to work for women,” said activist Dorothy Njemanze, one of the protest organisers, highlighting how deeply the demand resonates across the country.
The Push for Special Seats
At the heart of the protest is the proposed “Special Seats Bill.” This bill seeks to create one women-only seat in both the Senate and the House of Representatives for each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. For it to become reality, a constitutional amendment will be required—an uphill process needing approval from two-thirds of the National Assembly and 24 state legislatures.
Women’s rights groups argue that without quotas, it’s nearly impossible to overcome entrenched gender barriers—ranging from financial hurdles to cultural expectations and male-dominated political networks. Today, women hold only 4 out of 109 Senate seats and 16 out of 360 House seats. By contrast, countries like Rwanda, Senegal, and Ghana have raised female representation through quota systems.
Support Meets Resistance
Nigeria’s minister for women’s affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has thrown her weight behind the bill. But advocacy group PLAC has warned that amending the constitution is no easy task, stressing that similar past attempts collapsed.
For many protesters, the fight feels personal. “I want that seat, because tomorrow I may be the one contesting for it,” said Onu Ihunania, a 50-year-old civil servant. From Benue, 40-year-old Nyiyam Ikyereve added that women need a parliament that prioritises health and economic inclusion.
Representation Flashpoint
The debate over women’s political space grew louder earlier this year when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended after speaking on sexual harassment. Though Senate leaders dismissed it as a “seating arrangement issue,” activists saw it as proof that stronger female voices are urgently needed in parliament.
Now, with the Abuja protest marking a bold show of solidarity, supporters of the Special Seats Bill are hoping lawmakers will finally act. Whether the effort succeeds or stalls like previous reforms, one thing is clear: Nigerian women are no longer waiting quietly on the sidelines.
