Female activist advocates for the Special Seat Bill, emphasizing its role in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.
By our correspondent
Governance and development advocate, Tracy Keshi, has thrown her weight behind the Special Seat Bill for Women, describing it as a transformative step that will strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and ensure inclusivity in governance.
Keshi, who is passionate about amplifying the voices of women, persons with disabilities, and young people in decision-making, noted that despite their immense contributions to national growth, women remain grossly underrepresented in politics.
She pointed out that out of the 469 seats in the National Assembly; only 20 are occupied by women, 4 in the Senate and 16 in the House of Representatives while just about 55 women currently hold positions in the 36 State Houses of Assembly.
“This lack of representation is reflected globally,” Keshi said, referencing the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s ranking that places Nigeria at 178 out of 182 countries for women’s participation in national parliaments.
He added that “It is worrying that the so-called giant of Africa is ranked so low, just above Niger and Eritrea, two countries with severely constrained democratic processes.”
She stressed that the Special Seat Bill, which proposes additional reserved seats for women at both federal and state legislative levels, is not about giving handouts but about ensuring fairness and inclusivity.
“When women are part of governance, the benefits are clear. Research and global experience show that women legislators are more likely to champion healthcare, education, family welfare, and social protection,” Keshi explained.
She added that “Countries like Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa have shown that deliberate inclusion of women strengthens democracy and delivers better outcomes for citizens.”
Keshi urged Nigerians to sustain advocacy until the bill, which has already passed its second reading, becomes law. According to her, silence or complacency could erase the progress already achieved.
She said, “For Nigeria, passing this bill would be a game-changer. It would mean a more representative government, a more inclusive democracy, and a chance to unlock the full potential of our women. More importantly, it would inspire the next generation of girls to see leadership as a possibility, not just a dream.
“The fact that this bill has already been introduced and passed second reading is a step in the right direction, but the work is not done. This is the moment for Nigerians, men and women, young and old to keep pushing. Advocacy must continue until this bill is not just debated but passed into law. Silence or complacency at this stage could mean losing the progress already made.
“This is not only a women’s issue; it is a national issue. A democracy that excludes half its population cannot truly call itself representative. By passing the Special Seat Bill, Nigeria would be signalling to the world that it values equity, inclusivity, and progress.
“Now more than ever, we must raise our voices. We must remind our lawmakers that democracy works best when everyone has a seat at the table. Let us keep advocating, keep pressing, and keep demanding until the Special Seat Bill becomes an Act. Only then can we say we are building the kind of Nigeria we all deserve”, she added.
