Nigerian Deputy Speaker advocates for Special Seats Bill to Boost Women's Economy Contribution

• Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu has reiterated his demand that the Special Seats Bill be passed immediately
• Benjamin underlined that Nigeria's GDP could increase by 9% if more women were represented in the government
• He supports inclusive policies that promote gender equity and national development

House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu has once again called for the expeditious passage of the Special Seats Bill, stressing its importance in the advancement of national development.

Tackling a stakeholders' forum in Abuja on Friday, Benjamin rebutted that increasing women's numbers in government might contribute up to nine percent to Nigeria's GDP. "We are losing nine percent growth by excluding women," he emphasized, noting that the bill is better than inclusion but a clever economic and democratic strategy that Nigeria can no longer delay.

He urged both legislators and the public to view the bill not as a sacrifice to women, but as a wise investment in Nigeria's future. The Special Seats Bill looks at reserving additional legislative seats for women on the national and state levels. To that effect, it proposes:

37 new Senate seats (one per state and the FCT), 37 new House of Representatives seats, 108 State Houses of Assembly seats (three from every state)

Combined, the bill will introduce 182 women-only seats, not by eliminating existing constituencies or disqualifying women from contesting general seats. These will be equal rights, voting, and responsibility-holding seats. Importantly, a sunset clause is included in the bill—to evaluate after four election periods (16 years) if the law needs to be extended, amended, or repealed.

Benjamin emphasized the potential implications of expanding the number of female legislators, highlighting gains in terms of gender-sensitive legislations, improved educational and health outcomes, and stronger democratic governance. He also reminded that the economic cost of implementing the bill would be minimal—0.072 percent to 0.226 percent of the nation's budget—compared to the loss that might be gained from a continued exclusion.

EU Ambassador Gautier Mignot, Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, described the bill as a homegrown reaction to an internal issue. "This is not a foreign concept," he further noted, making comparisons to gender reform success stories in some countries like Mexico, Rwanda, Kenya, Morocco, and Egypt. "Nigeria should be forward, not backward."

A senior lawmaker Rep. Busayo Oluwole-Oke commended Benjamin's leadership, referring to the bill as distinct from past constitutional amendments. "This is people-centered. It includes our mothers, sisters, and daughters," he clarified.

Dr. Maryam Keshinro, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, made a commitment for the total backing of the Ministry. "Let's not treat this as a bill—it’s a moment defining for our country," she stated, also acknowledging First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their commitment towards gender equality.