Kogi lawmakers debate reserved seats for women in state assembly

The National Assembly has introduced a Reserved Seats Bill that would allocate three seats for women in every State House of Assembly, alongside 74 seats for women in the Senate and House of Representatives. In Kogi State, the proposal has sparked a lively debate among politicians, legislators and civil‑society actors.

Kogi’s State Assembly currently includes two female members – Mrs Omotayo Adeleye‑Ishaya of Ijumu constituency and Mrs Comfort Egwaba Nwuchola of Ibaji constituency, who also serves as Deputy Speaker. Both have welcomed the bill, noting that moving from two to three women would be a positive step and could see each senatorial district produce a female lawmaker.

Background

The Reserved Seats Bill seeks to address gender imbalance in Nigeria’s legislative bodies by reserving 74 seats for women at the federal level and three seats for women in each of the 36 State Houses of Assembly. Kogi State’s legislature was inaugurated in 1992 and has, to date, had only three women serve at different times. The current Assembly marks the first occasion where two women sit together, highlighting the historic under‑representation of women in the state’s politics.

While some stakeholders view the three‑seat allocation as a welcome start, others argue it falls short of the representation needed. Barrister Lilian Okolo, a female lawyer from Kogi, has publicly advocated for twelve seats – one‑third of the 36‑member Assembly – arguing that this proportion would better reflect women’s participation in political life. Okolo acknowledged, however, that the three reserved seats could serve as an initial foothold.

Why it matters

The debate underscores the broader challenge of achieving gender parity in Nigerian politics. Proponents of the bill argue that reserved seats will create more opportunities for women to influence lawmaking and governance, potentially leading to policies that address issues affecting women and families. Critics, meanwhile, contend that the limited number of seats may not sufficiently alter the male‑dominated composition of legislatures, thereby limiting the impact on decision‑making.

Stakeholders in Kogi State have highlighted that increasing female representation could improve the diversity of perspectives in the Assembly and encourage greater political participation among women across the state. The proposal also aligns with national efforts to meet international commitments on gender equality.

What happens next

The Reserved Seats Bill remains under consideration in the National Assembly. If passed, the three reserved seats would be implemented in the next electoral cycle for State Houses of Assembly, including Kogi’s. Advocates like Barrister Okolo have indicated they will continue lobbying for a larger quota, aiming to expand the number of seats allocated to women in future legislative reforms. The outcome of the bill will determine whether Kogi’s female legislators see their numbers increase from two to three, or whether further advocacy will lead to a higher target before the next elections.