The presentation of the Gender Report 2023–2026 at the 2026 National Assembly Open Week in Abuja has showcased three years of remarkable legislative, institutional and advocacy efforts by the National Assembly
The presentation formed part of the highlight of the “National Dialogue on the Electoral College Model for Special Seats Bill”, examining the proposed Special Seats Bill and the Electoral College Model as a pathway to expanding inclusive representation.
Presenting the report, Special Assistant on Women Affairs to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yeside Olasimbo, said the Bridge Her Gap Initiative, established on February 2, 2024, had evolved into a broad multi-stakeholder platform advancing women’s political inclusion and gender-responsive governance.
“It was a responsibility to ensure that this initiative would not become another beautiful idea sitting on paper, but a living platform capable of transforming lives,” she said.
Olasimbo said the initiative had grown into a movement connecting government, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector and citizens, laying the foundation for sustained engagement on inclusive representation.
Special Assistant on Gender to the Deputy Speaker, Joy Akut, said the initiative became a meeting point for institutions and citizens committed to inclusion.
“Our democracy becomes stronger when everyone has a seat at the table,” she said.
Special Assistant, Support Services, to the Speaker, Ifeoluwapo Adenigbagbe, said the initiative strengthened collaboration between Parliament, development partners, civil society organisations and women’s groups, creating wider opportunities for citizens to participate in governance.
The report highlighted milestones, including the opening of Parliament to women and girls, the high-level dialogue on Women, Peace and Security, legislative support for the Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Educational Institutions (Prohibition) Bill, the national campaign for the Special Seats Bill, the establishment of a Gender Desk in the House of Representatives and the mobilisation of more than 200 legislative endorsements for the proposed legislation.
In a goodwill message, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, described the Special Seats Bill as “a window of opportunity that should not be missed”, saying it presented Nigeria with an opportunity to strengthen its democratic credentials and set a positive example across West Africa.
Member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Omosede Igbinedion, reflected on becoming the youngest female member of the House and expressed hope that she would not be the last to break new ground for women in politics. She pledged to continue advocating for greater representation of women in public office, stressing that leadership is measured not by gender, but by the lives it transforms.
Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson, assured stakeholders that lawmakers would continue engaging across party lines to secure the Bill’s approval. While expressing support for the Electoral College Model, he urged that the Bill be adopted as an Executive Bill to fast-track its passage.
Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, Clement Nwankwo, said, “This is the most important bill before this National Assembly. It is not the budget bill or the tax reform bill. The Special Seats for Women Bill is the greatest legacy this National Assembly can leave behind. If this bill does not pass, the legacy of the 10th National Assembly will be seriously questioned.”
Executive Lead of the Gender Mobile Initiative, Omowunmio Ogunrotimi urged stakeholders to ensure that commitment extended beyond legislation to implementation and to confront the structural barriers limiting women’s political representation.
Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, described the Special Seats Bill as a necessary reform to ensure meaningful representation of women in decision making, while Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, called for collective support for the Bill, describing its passage as a defining legacy for the 10th National Assembly.
