Oluremi Tinubu: 10th assembly should make history by passing women’s reserved seats bill

Oluremi Tinubu, first lady of Nigeria, has called on the national assembly to pass the reserved seats for women bill.

Tinubu spoke on Friday when she hosted Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house of representatives, and other principal officers of the national assembly for a dinner at the State House in Abuja.

The reserved seats bill is seeking to expand women’s representation in governance by adding 182 women-only legislative seats across federal and state levels.

It is currently at the third reading stage at the national assembly.

Tinubu said the issue of increased women’s participation is one that has been discussed repeatedly, calling on the 10th assembly to make history by passing the bill.

“I have watched with keenness, in recent months, as very well-interested groups across our and even international bodies have carried the mention of this particular bill,” Tinubu said.

“The question is, is the topic of this discussion new? Definitely no. I believe we have gone round in cycles on this particular issue for so long. I ask myself, is this bill indeed possible to scale through? Yes, if not today, someday.

“But if we do this now, the 10th assembly will go down in history as the set that stood for women when it counted the most.”

The first lady praised global examples where similar affirmative actions enhanced governance inclusivity and urged Nigeria to adopt similar progressive steps.

“Nigeria can and should also benefit from such progressive ideologies. And in whatever way the results speak for women here before, or any other measure that supports women, I trust in your collective wisdom, your experience, and your patriotism to steer the nation towards the solution that is constitutionally sound and politically located,” she said.

Meanwhile, Osasu Igbinedion-Ogwuche, convener of the reserved seats for women bill campaign coalition, has lauded the public endorsement of the proposed law by Tinubu.

Igbinedion-Ogwuche described the first lady’s endorsement of the bill as “a powerful and historic step toward building a more inclusive and representative democracy”.

She expressed deep gratitude to Tinubu, noting that her support “signals something important — that real progress is possible when leadership listens, when compassion meets courage, and when we rise together in service of something greater than ourselves.”

“After months of patient advocacy and quiet conversations, we have arrived at a powerful moment. The first lady’s endorsement is more than a political gesture. It is a historic declaration that affirms that the future of our democracy must include the full voice, power, and presence of Nigerian women,” Igbinedion-Ogwuche said.

“This moment was not handed to us. It was earned through the tireless efforts of women and allies across this country, through the quiet strength of those who refuse to give up, and through the bold truth that inclusion is not optional; it is essential.

“To every woman who marched, who spoke up, who kept pushing even when the door seemed closed, this moment belongs to you.”