Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, has emphasized the need to empower women, citing it as a vital move for Nigeria’s economic growth. Speaking at the International Legislative Dialogue on Women and the Constitution Amendment Process in Abuja, Abbas noted that women’s low representation in the National Assembly is disheartening.
Abbas stressed that empowering women is not only a moral and democratic imperative but also a strategic economic necessity. He referenced global research showing that organizations and countries benefit from better decision-making, stronger economic growth, and enhanced social well-being when women hold leadership roles. Women bring unique perspectives, influencing vital issues from healthcare to economic policy.
The Speaker pointed to encouraging examples of gender inclusion in Africa, citing Rwanda’s 60% women representation in parliament. He emphasized that increased representation of women is not a luxury but a necessity for sustainable national development and stability.
In Nigeria, women’s representation in the National Assembly has remained low, with only 20 of 469 seats occupied by women. Abbas attributed this gap to institutional barriers that must be dismantled. He noted that some view increased women’s representation as a threat but emphasized that inclusion is not displacement—it is partnership.
To address this, Abbas has directed the Constitution Review Committee to focus on reforms promoting gender equity, including additional or reserved seats for women in legislative bodies. He called for joint ticketing in elections, reserved seats, and equal citizenship rights for foreigners married to Nigerian women. The Speaker emphasized that reform is a collective responsibility requiring tangible outcomes.
The event brought together presiding officers, ministers, female party leaders, and representatives from the United Nations Development Programme, European Union Delegation, and Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre.
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