The Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Mr. Akin Rotimi, has called on the media to take ownership of the Reserved Seats For Women Bill.
Mr. Rotimi gave the advice at a media training organised for the National Assembly Press Corps in Abuja.
He urged the media to step up reportage that would enhance public understanding of the bill.
Mr. Rotimi also said that the media was expected to play a stronger role in shaping public understanding of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill as the National Assembly prepares for further consideration of the constitutional amendment.
Critical Partners
He added that the legislature considers journalists as critical partners in correcting misconceptions about the bill and in ensuring Nigerians receive accurate information as both chambers move toward voting on the proposal.
The Training was organised by TOS Foundation and the Advocacy Coalition for the Reserved Seats Bill.
Lead advocate of the campaign coalition, Osasu Igbinedion Ogwuche said the training aims to equip journalists with factual and contextual tools for reporting women’s political representation.
She stressed that Nigerian women continue to face high political, financial, and social barriers that limit their participation in elections, resulting in persistently low representation.
She also noted that out of nine hundred and ninety three legislative seats in Nigeria, only fifty four are occupied by women, with some state assemblies having none.
She stressed that the bill seeks to address long-standing structural exclusion and urged the media to use its influence to drive public support ahead of the upcoming voting window in the constitution review process.
The Executive Director of Gender Strategy Advancement International, Adaora Sydney-Jack, highlighted the central role of narrative construction in political reporting.
She said the debate on reserved seats requires journalists to adopt more gender-sensitive storytelling, avoid stereotypes, and focus on competence, policy issues, and impact.
She noted that fairness, accuracy, balanced framing, and editorial independence are essential as the media navigates heightened political scrutiny around the bill.
Mrs. Sydney-Jack however advised against use of sexist languages in the reportage of the Reserved Seats For Women Bill.
Special Adviser on Legislative Matters to the Deputy Speaker, Dr. Chidozie Ajah, explained that the Reserved Seats for Women Bill proposes to amend the 1999 Constitution to create special constituencies exclusively for women in the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly.
He said the measure was intended as a temporary corrective step to improve women’s representation and was subject to a review after four general elections to determine whether it should be retained or modified.
The training brought together Journalists, lawmakers and civil society advocates.