By In a major push for gender inclusion in Nigeria’s politics, First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has publicly backed the Reserved Seats Bill for women in parliament. She urged the National Assembly to fast-track its passage to ensure women’s voices are fully represented in governance.
The bill, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, is currently before the House. It aims to reserve at least 35% of legislative and executive positions for women — a move advocates say is long overdue.
Speaking at the Art for Governance Exhibition in Abuja, organized by the Deputy Speaker’s office in partnership with ElectHER, a women’s empowerment group, the First Lady’s message was delivered by Hajiya Fatima Tajudeen Abbas, wife of the Speaker. “Women are essential to national progress, and their low representation in leadership is unacceptable,” she said.
Deputy Speaker Kalu also addressed the gathering, calling the exhibition both a cultural celebration and a political statement. “This is not just about art — it’s about breaking barriers and driving a movement. The Reserved Seats Bill is about justice, not just numbers,” he said, pledging to work tirelessly for its passage.
Ibijoke Faborode, CEO of ElectHER, emphasized that Nigeria, despite being Africa’s largest democracy, has one of the continent’s lowest female representation rates — with women holding less than 4% of National Assembly seats. “This bill is not just about policy; it’s about correcting history and building a future where leadership reflects our population,” she noted.
The event also celebrated artistic talent, with Segun Owolabi, Chidinma Mordi, and Precious Samuel winning top prizes for their exceptional artworks. Their pieces, which reflect themes of equity and inclusion, will be displayed at the National Assembly Library for three weeks.
