Benjamin Kalu: Women occupy 19 out of 469 n’assembly seats — that’s painfully low

Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the house of representatives, says women occupy a paltry 19 out of 469 seats in the national assembly.

Speaking on Monday in Abuja, at an event aimed at garnering support for the proposed legislation to create reserved seats for women in the national assembly, Kalu said gender inclusion in governance is essential to Nigeria’s progress.

He described the number of women in the national assembly as “painfully low”.

“As the sponsor of the reserved seats for women bill, I want to make this abundantly clear: this bill is not borne out of sentiment,” he said.

“It is borne out of reason, out of evidence, out of the stubborn facts of our current reality. It is rooted in the belief that justice delayed is democracy denied.

“Nigeria is a nation of over 220 million people, and nearly half [49.3 percent] of this population are women. And yet, the number of women who sit at the table of power in this country is painfully low.

“In the current 10th national assembly, only 19 out of 469 legislators are women [just 3.8 percent]. In the house of representatives, there are only 15 women out of 360. In the senate, only 4 out of 109.

“Across all 36 states, we do not have a single female governor. And in our state houses of assembly [out of 991 seats], only 45 are occupied by women. That’s a mere 4.5 percent.

“Keep the advocacy alive. Keep doing it, keep lobbying, there’s no time. We don’t have time. It is our desire to vote on these constitutional review provisions once we are back from recess. That’s to show you there’s no time.

“The people you’re talking to must be people who have influence over those who will vote or the voters themselves.

“So tell your religious leaders, political big players, the wives of the parliamentarians and so on.

“The language of advocacy should change too. Appeal to them. Reach out to prominent women in this country. Let them come on board. Reach out to influencers, there’s no time. Barely 60 days remaining.”

MEDIA SUPPORT

Kalu urged political parties, the media and Nigerians to support the bill.

“The 10th house of representatives, under the purposeful leadership of speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, GCON, has placed inclusion at the centre of its legislative vision,” he added. 

“This commitment aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which anchors national development on equity, justice, and opportunity.”

Kalu said through progressive policies and appointments, Tinubu has shown an intent to disrupt entrenched norms.

“The reserved seats for women bill is a reflection of this shared resolve, and the 10th assembly is proud to be the legislative catalyst advancing it,” he said.

The deputy speaker said civil society, the international community, and the development sector are indispensable.

He asked them to support and amplify the bill, noting that their expertise, advocacy, and collaboration remain vital.

“To political parties: reform must begin within. Open your ranks. Prioritise women not merely as supporters, but as candidates and decision-makers. The strength of our democracy depends on the strength of our internal democratic institutions,” he said.

“To the media: shape the national conversation. Tell this story not as tokenism, but as transformation. This bill is not a favour, it is a framework for equity. A nation cannot fly with one wing.”

He noted that nations do not merely progress when women rise; they prosper and societies heal when they lead.

Kalu added that the house will vote on the reserved seats for women and other constitutional amendment bills in October.