In an effort to tackle gender imbalance in Nigeria’s political representation, the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) has partnered with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and other advocacy groups to mobilize national support for the Special Seats Bill for Women in Parliament.
The coalition aims to ensure the bill’s successful passage ahead of the scheduled public hearing in July 2025.
At a town hall meeting hosted in Lagos, NILOWV President Hon. Irene Awunah-Ikyegh reiterated the organization’s founding mission and its determination to challenge patriarchal structures that limit women’s political participation in Nigeria.
Awunah-Ikyegh stressed the need for institutional mechanisms, like reserved seats, that empower women to enter and thrive in politics.
“Patriarchy has been a major obstacle in Nigeria. It’s an institution upheld not only by men but also, unfortunately, often by women themselves,” she said. “Our society frequently undermines a woman’s capacity to lead.”
“With women constituting over 48% of the voting population and arguably more than 50% of the total population, legislative action must reflect this demographic reality,” she asserted.
Citing Nigeria’s poor global standing in women’s political inclusion, Awunah-Ikyegh noted that Nigeria isn’t in the top 100 countries for women in governance, adding that some of the countries that ranked higher haven’t held elections in years or are conflict-ridden.
She recalled that the Special Seats Bill, first introduced in the 9th Assembly, was re-presented in the 10th Assembly by Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, a move NILOWV strongly supports.
“Our objective is to educate voters and counter the false narrative that Nigerians reject women at the polls. Many times, women are simply not on the ballot due to internal party dynamics.
“This bill is an opportunity for political parties and leaders to affirm their commitment to inclusion and reverse Nigeria’s declining reputation globally,” she explained.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Adeola Ekine, Chairperson of NAWOJ, Lagos Chapter, highlighted the crucial role of women journalists in the advocacy process.
“As female journalists, we understand the importance of women telling their own stories that men cannot fully grasp,” she stated. “Only women truly understand the realities of menstruation and why policies around education, healthcare, and dignity must reflect women’s lived experiences.”
Dr. Ekine expressed hope that the town hall would spur wider recognition of NILOWV’s efforts and inspire broader support. “We’re seeing more women stepping up to contest local elections in Lagos. If we support them now, we’re planting the seeds for a more inclusive political future,” she added.
As a strategic outcome of the town hall, NILOWV and its partners including NAWOJ, Lawyers Alert, ISDI, and others announced a grassroot campaign to gather one million signatures from Lagos residents in favor of the bill. The coalition is also engaging traditional, religious, and political leaders to pressure lawmakers to support its passage.
“This is not just a women’s bill,” Hon. Awunah-Ikyegh declared in her closing remarks. “It is a national bill , one that seeks to restore Nigeria’s democratic integrity and fulfill her promise as the giant of Africa through inclusion, equity, and responsible leadership.”
NILOWV, the 28-year-old non-partisan women’s organization with nationwide presence across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas, has remained committed to championing women’s leadership, electoral participation, and gender-inclusive policy reforms. It also defends women’s rights in workplaces and broader society. The organization is now intensifying its campaign to amplify women’s political voice.