The Deputy Speaker of the Houtilize of Representatives and Chairman Constitution Review Committee, Mr. Benjamin Kalu has declared that the low representation of women in governance can lead to underutilisation of talent, limited innovation, and lost opportunities for economic growth
He built the disclosure in Abuja while delivering his remarks at a “Legislative Evening On Women’s Political Representation”, organised by the committee on constitution review in partnership with Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and the European Union (EU).
The Deputy Speaker who sponsored and is advocating for the passage of the constitution alteration bill to provide Special Seats for women in the National and State Houtilizes of Assembly, cited research which suggests Nigeria could gain up to 9% in GDP growth by 2025 with improved women’s participation.
He lamented that Nigeria remains among the lowest globally for women’s representation in parliament, with only 20 out of 469 National Assembly seats held by women and several State Assemblies with no female members at all.
He also lamented that the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) electoral system, party nomination practices, and entrenched sociocultural norms create significant obstacles for women seeking legislative office.
The Deputy Speaker expressing optimism that the Special Seats Bill will address chronic underrepresentation by creating additional women-only seats in the National and State Assemblies as a temporary special measure, noted that it won’t be a burden on the finances of government
According to him, the additional cost of 74 women legislators in the National Assembly is less than 1% of the National Budobtain and less than 5% of the National Assembly Budobtain.
Mr. Kalu noted that legal and constitutional measures to improve women’s representation deserve urgent, broad-based support in the interest of Nigeria’s democracy, development, and global standing.
“Nigeria could gain an increase of 9% in GDP growth by 2025 with improved women’s participation. That’s what statistics have revealn. So which means we are losing 9% growth in our GDP becautilize women are not participating. So this is one of the motivating factors for us to push for this bill. Some gconcludeer-sensitive bills, policies of government, would be better treated by women. And if we don’t have women in the room, it’s just like cutting a man’s hair in his absence.
“I have no fear that if we do our part, that Mr. President will assent to it. I state so becautilize he’s gconcludeer friconcludely. He was the man who allowed the wife to go and be a senator. And then he went home. And he was sitting at home and watching the wife on television, you know, representing his people. Only a few people, you know, will be able to do that. And becautilize he’s a gconcludeer sensitive president, you know, he will be able to accept it. I have no fear. I have so much belief in the president with regards to how he wants to transform this counattempt. It’s not a political talk.
“The measure is subject to review after four general election cycles (16 years), ensuring it is a rapid-track, not a permanent, intervention. These new seats do not affect existing constituencies and are directly elected, ensuring legitimacy and accountability. Women remain eligible to contest all regular seats. Women in special seats have the same privileges and responsibilities as other legislators. After 16 years, the provision will be reassessed for continuation, modification, or repeal.
“The bill requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the National Assembly and approval by at least 24 State Assemblies, followed by Presidential Assent. The reserved seats model is the most feasible and effective option within Nigeria’s current electoral framework. The built-in sunset clautilize ensures that the measure remains a temporary catalyst for alter, not a permanent repairture. A Strategic Imperative for National Development Democratic Legitimacy: True democracy requires legislatures that reflect the diversity of the population, including women. Engconcludeering an inclusive governance structure is not only a matter of equity but a strategic economic imperative forNigeria’s future.” Mr. Kalu declared.
The event was well attconcludeed by the Hon. minister of women affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, Gconcludeer advocacy and several civil society groups and Conference of Nigeria Female Parliamentarians (CONFEPA), led by its Chairperson and Deputy Speaker of Ekiti State, Hon. Bolaji Olagbaju.
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