The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has urged State Houses of Assembly to support the creation of special seats for women in Nigeria’s legislature.
Abbas made this call on Thursday in Abuja at the 2025 Nigerian Women Leadership and Empowerment Conference, titled ‘Investing in Nigerian Women, Securing Our Future’.
He stated that the Constitution affirms security and welfare as the primary purpose of government, underscoring the need to prioritise gender inclusion in governance.
The Speaker highlighted that Section 42 of the Constitution prohibits discrimination based on sex, reinforcing the principle that no Nigerian woman should be held back by law or tradition.
He stressed that building a just and progressive Nigeria requires prioritising women’s welfare and upholding the Constitution’s commitment to equality.
“We advocate for legislative reforms to reintroduce special seats for women in our legislative houses and mandate quotas within political parties for meaningful representation,” he said.
He urged all State Houses of Assembly to endorse these proposals during the Constitution amendment process to foster social welfare and equality for all citizens.
“Beyond politics, we must expand targeted funding programmes that empower female entrepreneurs, fostering innovation and employment opportunities across Nigeria,” he added.
He acknowledged the pioneering women who broke barriers with determination, laying the foundation for today’s progress in gender inclusion.
