The Reserved Seats for Women Bill Campaign Coalition has called for urgent legislative action following the release of the timetable for the 2027 General Elections by INEC
The Reserved Seats for Women Bill Campaign Coalition has called for urgent legislative action following the release of the timetable for the 2027 General Elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission, warning that the window for meaningful reform is rapidly closing.
In a statement signed by Hammed Adejare, Communications Lead and dated February 15, 2026, the coalition said the publication of the electoral calendar brings clarity for political parties, candidates, institutions and citizens, while also highlighting the shrinking timeframe for the National Assembly to conclude consideration of House Bill 1349 and Senate Bill 550.
The proposed bills seek a constitutional amendment to establish 182 reserved seats for women across the Senate, the House of Representatives and the State Houses of Assembly.
“The publication of the electoral calendar provides clarity for political parties, candidates, institutions, and citizens. It also underscores a critical reality: the legislative window to conclude consideration of House Bill 1349 and Senate Bill 550 is rapidly narrowing,” the coalition said.
The group expressed concern over Nigeria’s poor record of female representation in parliament, noting that women currently occupy less than five per cent of seats in the National Assembly, one of the lowest rates globally.
“This enduring imbalance is not merely statistics; it reflects structural barriers that weaken representative governance and erode public confidence in democratic institutions,” the statement read.
According to the coalition, the Reserved Seats for Women Bill is designed as a time-bound corrective measure, proposed to run for an initial period of 16 years, aimed at accelerating progress toward balanced representation without undermining the competitiveness or integrity of the electoral system.
“The bill is measured, constitutional, and aligned with democratic best practice,” it stated.
The coalition stressed that women across Nigeria’s 36 states are ready to contest elections, lead and serve, adding that the critical question now is whether the 469 lawmakers of the 10th National Assembly are prepared to act decisively.
“Women across Nigeria’s 36 states are prepared to contest, lead, and serve. The question before the nation is whether the 469 lawmakers of the 10th National Assembly are prepared to act with urgency and responsibility to remove systemic barriers that have constrained women’s participation for decades,” the group said.
It therefore urged the leadership of the National Assembly to prioritise and fast-track the passage of Senate Bill 550 and House Bill 1349 within the remaining legislative timeframe.
“Nigeria must not approach the 2027 General Elections with the same structural inequities that have long limited women’s full and equal participation in the democratic process. The moment for reform is now. The electoral clock is ticking,” the Coalition warned.
