Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has vowed that the long-standing underrepresentation of women in Nigerian politics will soon be a thing of the past.
He said this during his speech at the ninth Voice of Women Conference and Awards (VOW2025) held in Abuja on October 2, 2025.
Tajudeen, represented by Kafilat Ogbara, a member of the House for Kosofe Federal Constituency, emphasized the importance of collective action and legislative reforms in promoting gender equality. He mentioned a proposed bill that would add 37 seats for women in the National Assembly, with 3 extra seats per senatorial district. This, he said, would help correct the gender imbalance in politics.
The Speaker also praised President Bola Tinubu for his gender-sensitive approach, noting his continued support for his wife’s political role and his Renewed Hope Agenda, which promises that no woman will be left behind in governance.
Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, also spoke at the event, stressing that true gender equality could not be achieved without collective action. She highlighted that only 6% of the National Assembly seats are currently held by women, far below global standards. She explained that the Reserved Seats Bill would not only empower women but also strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
The event also saw inspiring speeches from Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former Deputy President of South Africa, who called on women to support one another, not just with words but through financial action. Toun Okewale-Sonaiya, the convener of the event, urged the President and National Assembly to pass the bill for a more inclusive democracy.
