Breaking Barriers: Nigeria’s Proposed Gender Quota Could Transform Political Representation

By MELVIN KOFFA

NIGERIA stands at a pivotal moment in its democratic journey, with a proposed constitutional amendment aiming to reserve seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly. Experts, policymakers, and gender advocates argue that this legislation could finally challenge decades of systemic exclusion and ensure women have a meaningful voice in governance.

Currently, women occupy only 4.2% of Nigeria’s National Assembly seats—a glaring disparity in Africa’s most populous nation. At the state level, representation is equally dismal, with 54 women across 990 seats and 15 states without a single female legislator. The proposed bill seeks to correct this imbalance by creating reserved seats while encouraging broader participation in unreserved constituencies.

Clement Nwankwo, Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), emphasised the need for awareness, noting that even some lawmakers are unclear about the bill’s provisions. “This is not a bill anyone should object to. The real question is how we implement it effectively,” he said, highlighting ongoing advocacy efforts to secure its passage.

Drude Dahlerup, an international expert on electoral quotas, explained why temporary special measures are crucial in societies with entrenched patriarchal systems. Structural barriers, violence against women, cultural prejudice, and political party biases—often termed the “old boys’ network”—have historically excluded women from decision-making. Dahlerup praised initiatives like the Labour Party’s free nomination tickets for women, but stressed that broader legislative support is essential.

Financial barriers also block women from entering politics. The 2023 elections saw nomination fees for major parties soar into tens of millions of naira, far beyond the reach of most women, young aspirants, and marginalized groups. While some concessions exist, the cumulative costs of election participation remain prohibitive, reinforcing the need for reserved seats as a temporary corrective.

Joy Ezeilo, law professor and constitutional consultant to the National Assembly, framed the bill as part of Nigeria’s broader obligations under international treaties. “Nigeria is seriously lagging within Africa,” she said, emphasizing that legislative advocacy combined with societal awareness has brought the bill to its current stage.

Kareen Jabre of the Inter-Parliamentary Union reinforced the global perspective: true democracy requires both men and women at the table. Quotas and reserved seats, she argued, are not just symbolic—they are instrumental in building equitable governance.

Experts caution, however, that reserved seats must be carefully structured to empower women without limiting their broader political ambitions. Dahlerup highlighted the Moroccan example, where reserved seats initially concentrated power within dominant parties, inadvertently discouraging women from contesting unreserved seats. The Nigerian women’s movement must ensure reserved seats act as a platform, not a ceiling.

As the National Assembly considers the bill, the stakes are high. Passage could mark a historic shift, creating a political landscape where women’s voices are no longer sidelined but integral to shaping Nigeria’s future. The proposed law is not merely an amendment—it is a bold statement that governance in Nigeria must reflect the society it serves.

By addressing structural, financial, and political barriers simultaneously, Nigeria has the potential to set a precedent in Africa: demonstrating that democracy is most vibrant when it is truly inclusive.