The highly anticipated vote on the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, originally slated for debate at the National Assembly this week, has been postponed.
In a press statement released Monday in Abuja by the Reserved Seats Bill Secretariat managed by the TOS Foundation, the vote will now hold at the end of November or early December 2025.
According to parliamentary leadership, the delay is intended to allow for additional consultations, technical refinement, and broader stakeholder engagement, ensuring the final draft reflects nationwide consensus and political alignment.
The Secretariat acknowledged that the postponement may disappoint advocates who have shown unwavering commitment to advancing women’s political representation in Nigeria. However, it described the extension as a “strategic window” to intensify advocacy, build cross-party momentum, and deepen public support ahead of the rescheduled vote.
Recall that the push for women-reserved seats has gained unprecedented momentum in recent years following the 2022 constitutional amendment failures that sparked nationwide protests and mobilization by women’s rights groups, civil society organizations, and development partners. Renewed advocacy has since led to fresh legislative drafting and bipartisan engagement, positioning this Bill as one of the most significant gender-equity reforms in Nigeria’s democratic history.
The Reserved Seats for Women Bill seeks to guarantee fair representation for women in parliament, addressing decades-long gender imbalance and promoting a more inclusive and accountable political system. Nigeria currently ranks among the lowest in Africa for women’s representation in elective office.
Supporters and citizens are urged to stay united and engaged as consultations continue. Official updates on the new voting date will be provided by the National Assembly and published via the policy accountability tool.
“Nigeria rises when her women rise,” the Secretariat reaffirmed,” the statement concluded.
