Ben Kalu: Less than 200 women have served in Nigeria’s parliament in 60 years

Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the house of representatives, says fewer than 200 women have served in Nigeria’s parliament in the country’s 60-year legislative history.

Kalu spoke in Abuja on Saturday at the TOS symposium VI, held in commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child.

He described the poor women’s representation in the national assembly as “a clear sign of systemic imbalance.”

“In over 60 years of legislative history, fewer than 200 women in the history of our democracy have served in both chambers combined. A clear sign of systemic imbalance. Nobody’s going to correct it except you and I,” the deputy speaker said.

“Women hold only 4.21 percent of seats in the house of representatives and 3.7 percent in the Senate, placing Nigeria 178th out of 182 countries globally.”

Kalu cited Senegal with 41 percent women’s representation, South Africa 44.4 percent, Uganda 34 percent, and Rwanda 63.75 percent, noting that they were “achieved through deliberate legislative action”.

The deputy speaker, sponsor of bill 1349 seeking temporary reserved seats for women in the national and state assemblies, described the proposal as “a constitutional innovation grounded in data, fairness and strategy”.

“Some argue the bill undermines merit, yet true merit cannot flourish where opportunity is denied,” he said.

“Section 42 of the constitution allows affirmative action to address historical inequalities and imbalances. This bill, reviewed every 16 years, is a lawful self-correcting instrument for inclusion.”

Kalu urged lawmakers across political and religious lines to see the proposal “not as a woman’s bill but as a nation’s bill”.

“Across the world, one truth has become undeniable. Nations that invest in their girls build stronger economies, fairer societies, and more resilient democracies,” he said.

“A nation that limits the potential of its girls limits the progress of its democracy.

“If we are serious about Nigeria’s future, then we must start by asking: what future are we preparing for the Nigerian girl?”

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Mohammed Tahir Monguno, the senate’s chief whip, said the idea of reserving seats for women in politics “is not charity; it is justice”.

“When you know the value of a woman at home, you will never doubt the value of a woman in public life,” Akpabio said.

“This conversation about women’s representation is not a political project; it is a personal conviction.”

He said the 10th national assembly is already considering proposals to make gender inclusivity a constitutional guarantee.

“Nigeria cannot afford to keep half of its talent in the waiting room. The time has come to move from applauding women to empowering them, from rhetoric to representation,” the senate president said.

“Under the 10th NASS, we are committed to institutionalising reforms that make gender inclusivity not just an aspiration but a constitutional guarantee.”

Huawa Liman, who represented Vice-President Kashim Shettima, said investing in the girl child “is not a favour, neither is it charity”.

“Having women at the decision-making table is smart governance,” she said.

“Today’s conversation on reserved seats for women in parliament is not just a call for fairness; it is a call for nation-building.”

Liman said President Bola Tinubu’s administration supports ongoing constitutional reforms aimed at institutionalising inclusion.

“This is not about tokenism; it is about justice, about harnessing our full potential and creating a governance system that reflects the diversity of our people,” she said.

Other dignitaries at the event included Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto; Olufolake Abdulrazaq, the first lady of Kwara state, Tamunominini Makinde, the first lady of Oyo state; and Ivie Atuwatse, wife of the Olu of Warri.

The convener, Osasu Igbinedion Ogwuche, announced a one-year scholarship for 10 girls from KNOSK 100-Naira-A-Day Charity Secondary School, describing the gesture as an investment in the next generation of female leaders.