Ex-Speaker Etteh, Abbas’ wife, others press lawmakers to pass women’s representation bill

A push is underway in Nigeria to pass a constitutional amendment that would reserve additional seats for women in the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly. The proposed bill aims to temporarily increase female representation through affirmative action.

Key figures, including former Speaker Patricia Etteh and the wife of the current Speaker, Amina Abbas, are actively lobbying lawmakers to support the legislation. Their advocacy highlights a concerted effort to address the underrepresentation of women in Nigerian politics.

The bill seeks to create specific seats designated for women, a measure intended to provide a structured pathway for greater female participation in governance. The success of this initiative could mark a significant step towards gender parity in Nigeria's legislative bodies.

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The Constitution Alteration Bill proposes the creation of additional seats exclusively for women in the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly as a temporary affirmative action measure.