In a significant development for gender representation in Nigeria, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has reaffirmed the commitment of the 10th Senate to supporting the Bill seeking to create special legislative seats for women in the Nigerian Parliament.
Akpabio made this assurance on Monday while receiving a delegation from the UK branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), led by British MP Kate Ofunne Osamor. The delegation visited the Senate President to discuss legislative initiatives aimed at enhancing women’s representation in Nigerian politics.
The proposed Bill, which had previously failed to pass during the 9th National Assembly’s Constitution Review process, has been reintroduced in the current Assembly by the House of Representatives. This renewed effort aims to strengthen women’s participation in governance and legislative decision-making.
Strong Senate Support for Women’s Inclusion
During the meeting, Akpabio emphasized the Senate’s willingness to champion the legislation, stating:
“We want to assure you that the Bill you are referring to will be highly supported by us.”
He expressed optimism that the engagement with the CPA UK delegation would lead to a productive exchange of ideas and foster long-term cooperation between Nigerian and British legislators.
“At the end of this visit, we would have formed a strong CPA UK Parliamentary/Nigeria Cooperation that will outlive us, bringing about good governance, freedom of speech, and association, improving trade relations, and enhancing the living standards of people in both our countries,” Akpabio added.
UK Parliamentarians Advocate for Gender Equality in Politics
Kate Osamor, speaking on behalf of the CPA UK delegation, underscored the importance of legislative backing for gender inclusivity. She reiterated the delegation’s goal of garnering Senate support for the special seats Bill while fostering stronger inter-parliamentary relations.
“We really want to hear from you and know what you are doing to support this Bill to ensure it becomes a reality. Our delegation comprises cross-party members from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, which is similar to the Senate. We want to learn from you, exchange ideas, and start a meaningful conversation. If this Bill is successful, we can explore further areas of collaboration,” Osamor stated.
The meeting underscores a growing commitment to gender inclusivity in governance and highlights international support for policies that promote equal representation. With the Senate’s renewed endorsement, hopes are high that Nigeria will take a decisive step toward increasing female participation in legislative affairs.