The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has reiterated its commitment to supporting evidence-based advocacy, legislative engagement, and democratic reforms to expand women’s inclusion in Nigerian politics.
The UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, stated this on Thursday in Abuja at a one-day high-level strategic meeting on the Special Seats Bill organised by the UN Nigeria.
The meeting was convened by the Women Political Participation Partners Working Group (WPP-PWG) in collaboration with UN Women and other partners.
Reserve Special Seats
Atafuah said the meeting was taking place at a decisive moment as the National Assembly prepares to vote on the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to reserve special seats for women in the legislature.
She commended UN Women, the WPP-PWG, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Civil Society Organisations, and development partners for their sustained efforts in advancing women’s political participation in the country.
According to her, the Special Seats Bill represents a critical inflection point in Nigeria’s democratic and constitutional journey, where years of advocacy, coalition-building, and citizen mobilisation are converging on the question of inclusive representation.
Attafuah described the bill as a reform that would strengthen leadership quality, institutional responsiveness, and public policy effectiveness for women, men, and young people.
Test Of Political Will
She said it was also a test of political will, a signal of democratic maturity, and a measure of collective commitment to equality, justice, and representative governance.
“The underrepresentation of women is not a women’s issue alone. It is a binding constraint on human development, institutional performance, and Nigeria’s ability to translate growth and reforms into inclusive outcomes for citizens,” she said.
Attafuah noted that inclusive governance had been shown to promote stronger social cohesion and better development outcomes, stating that the bill aligns with Nigeria’s constitutional aspirations and regional and international commitments, including the Maputo Protocol.
She reaffirmed UNDP’s support for evidence-based advocacy, constructive legislative engagement, and peaceful democratic reform processes that expand political inclusion.
Corrective Mechanisms
According to her, affirmative measures such as special seats are not concessions but corrective mechanisms designed to address historical and structural barriers to participation.
She said decisions taken on the bill would shape the future of women’s political representation and the overall quality of Nigeria’s democracy.
“UNDP remains committed to walking this journey with you before the vote, during the vote, and beyond,” she said.
Also speaking, the Chair, Women Political Participation- Partners Working Group, Ms. Ebere Ifendu, emphasised why women should strive more not just for political seats but also in other areas of society .
In a presentation, on the status of the Special Seats for Women Bills and dynamics within the National Assembly, Mr. John Mutu provided a deep-dive into the current dynamics within the National Assembly.
He highlighted the critical status of the bill and the internal legislative maneuvers required to ensure it moves from debate to reality before the electoral window closes.
Other highlight of the meeting was the presentation of key advocacy actions ahead of the vote by Ms. Ene Obi, former ActionAid Nigeria Country Director and Chairperson of the Advisory Committee of the Nigerian Endowments through Asset Transformation.
Gender-Inclusive Governance
The Special Seats Bill, which has passed key legislative stages and garnered over one million citizen endorsements, seeks to promote gender-inclusive governance and advance women’s leadership and political participation in Nigeria.
The meeting, which gathered key voices in Nigeria’s constitutional reform space, will no longer accept being sidelined in the nation’s governance.
Advocates at the session emphasized that the 2027 elections must be preceded by legal frameworks that guarantee women’s inclusion in political positions.
By Lateefah Ibrahim