The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, FSI, has reiterated the urgent need for gender-inclusive representation in Nigeria’s political system, describing the proposed Special Seats Bill for Women as a national necessity and not a favour. She made this known during the first interactive dialogue session on the bill held on July 9, 2025, in Abuja. The Minister was represented by the APC Woman Leader, Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim.
In her remarks, the Minister expressed deep appreciation to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, for his commitment to legislative inclusivity and for placing the issue of Special Seats for Women firmly on the national agenda. She also commended the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, for his unwavering advocacy and mobilization of critical support for the bill.
Acknowledging the leadership of both the House and Senate, she gave special thanks to the Chairpersons of the Committees on Women Affairs—Senator Ireti Kingibe and Hon. Kafilat Ogbara—as well as the Chair of the Women in Parliament, Hon. Fati Talba, for their tireless efforts in advancing women’s political participation.
The Minister also saluted the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, for their inclusive leadership under the Renewed Hope Agenda, which she said is paving the way for lasting gender equality in Nigeria.
Highlighting the dire state of women’s representation, she noted that in the current 10th National Assembly, only 21 out of 469 legislators are women. At the state level, just 48 women won seats in the Houses of Assembly out of over 1,000 female candidates. Alarmingly, 13 states currently have no female legislators at all.
She posed critical questions about representation, asking who speaks for mothers, girls, widows, and the marginalized when no woman is present at the decision-making table. According to her, the Special Seats Bill is a constitutional corrective long overdue and vital for justice, representation, and national development.
Appreciating the bill's sponsors, civil society, media, and all advocates, the Minister called on Nigerians to seize the moment, speak with one voice, and rise in support of a nation that values the voices and leadership of its women.
She concluded by stating that when history reflects on this period, it should be remembered as the time Nigeria chose equity over exclusion, paving the way for national transformation through the empowerment of women.
“Long live Nigerian women. Long live the 10th National Assembly. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she said.
ADEOLA KUNLE
