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By Tracy Moses The House of Representatives Committee on Youths in Parliament has expressed its strong commitment to advancing the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to create special reserved seats for women in both the National and State Houses of Assembly. Chairman of the committee, Rep. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala (APC–Oyo), made this known while speaking with journalists at a stakeholders’ interactive session in Abuja on Tuesday. The session was convened by the Legislative Advocacy Committee on the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, a body established by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to build consensus among lawmakers and mobilise national support for the proposed law. The bill proposes the creation of 108 additional elective seats across the country, which would be exclusively reserved for female candidates to boost women’s participation in governance. At the event, the Committee on Youths in Parliament was officially inaugurated to lead advocacy, sensitisation, and engagement with legislators to ensure broad backing for the bill. Alao-Akala reaffirmed the committee’s determination to push the proposal through all necessary legislative stages. “I am grateful for the confidence reposed in me, and I intend to pursue this assignment with utmost dedication,” he stated. “Our goal is to simplify the bill’s intent so every Nigerian understands its value. “Many people wrongly assume that this bill will displace current lawmakers, it will not. Instead, it will strengthen our democracy, drive development, and align Nigeria with international standards on gender representation.” He emphasised that Nigeria must continue to demonstrate its commitment to gender inclusivity and empowerment, noting that the reserved seats bill represents a step forward for national growth and equality. Earlier, Mrs. Ene Obi, Executive Director of the Ene Obi Centre for Development and leader of the stakeholders’ delegation, applauded the House of Representatives for showing strong political will toward gender inclusion. She said the endorsement by the Youth in Parliament Committee was a significant boost for women’s advocacy, likening it to the momentum that drove the Not-Too-Young-To-Run movement. “We are replicating for women what young people achieved with the Not-Too-Young-To-Run Act,” Obi said. “Our mission is to open doors for women to contest and serve. Although the current Parliament is male-dominated, the tide is shifting. “We appreciate the Speaker’s commitment and the Senate President’s assurance that the 10th Assembly will not reject women’s bills again. This is history in the making, and we call on everyone to be part of it.” Also speaking, Ms. Yeside Olasimbo, Special Assistant to the Speaker on Women Affairs, described the committee’s backing of the bill as a major milestone for women’s representation. “The endorsement today is a bold and progressive move,” she said. “The Youth Committee has agreed to work closely with us in lobbying other members, which will make advocacy more structured and effective. This is truly a proud moment for Nigerian women.” In her remarks, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs, said the time had come for Nigeria to make a decisive statement on gender equality by passing the Constitution Alteration Bill. Ogbara noted that women’s representation in politics had been unimpressive for decades but expressed optimism that the present administration and 10th Assembly had the political will to reverse the trend. “The history of women’s participation in governance has not been encouraging, but we are optimistic that things are about to change,” she said. “What this bill needs most is political will, and we now have it. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown his gender sensitivity. His wife has been elected senator three times, and the Vice President as well as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation are both experienced lawmakers who appreciate the essence of this legislation.” She added that passing the bill would elevate Nigeria’s global democratic standing and correct long-standing gender imbalance. “At international parliamentary meetings, our delegations often lose voting rights because we lack adequate female representation,” Ogbara explained. “This bill is about inclusion, national development, and restoring Nigeria’s credibility in the global community.” Ogbara commended Speaker Abbas Tajudeen for his inclusive and forward-looking leadership and appreciated members of the Legislative Advocacy Committee and partner organisations for their tireless efforts. “There’s no better time than now,” she said. “With sustained collaboration and advocacy, we are confident this bill will succeed and usher in a new era of women’s political participation in Nigeria.”
