Women groups to submit special seats bill memorandum to n’assembly today

More than 750 women from across Nigeria are set to hold a peace walk in Abuja today to demand the passage of the Special Seats Reserved for Women Bill.

The women, representing all 36 states and the federal capital territory (FCT), will converge on the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development.

From there, they will proceed to the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, where they are expected to present a memorandum to the leadership of the national assembly during a stakeholder meeting.

Ebere Ifendu, chair of the Women’s Political Participation–Technical Working Group (WPP–TWG), said the action symbolises women’s determination to secure a stronger voice in governance.

“The Reserved Seats Bill is not just about numbers, it is about securing women’s rightful place in governance and ensuring that the voices of Nigerian women are heard where decisions that affect their lives are made,” she said.

Although the national assembly is currently on recess, Ifendu said Nigerian women are united in sustaining pressure for the bill’s passage.

She also urged the media to continue amplifying the campaign, describing journalists as “true allies” at this critical stage.

There have been renewed calls for the passage of the bill, which seeks to amend the 1999 constitution to create reserved seats for women in the national and state assemblies.

The proposal, which has passed second reading in the house of representatives, is awaiting further legislative consideration.

Advocates say the reform would strengthen inclusive governance and expand women’s representation in decision-making at federal and state levels.