PLAC, EU, Media, CSOs Rally Support For Passage Of Special Seats Bill

Torkwase Nyiekaa

A coalition of media professionals, civil-society organisations and gender advocates renewed the nationwide push for the passage of the Special Seats Bill for Women, calling on the 10th National Assembly to act decisively before the end of 2025.

The convening was led by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), with funding support from the European Union (EU), at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday, 29 October 2025. The objective was to fine-tune advocacy and communications strategies aimed at securing the bill’s enactment.

In his opening address, PLAC’s Executive Director, Clement Nwankwo, commended stakeholders for their “unwavering commitment”, emphasising that the bill marks a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy. He said: “We are here to perfect strategies that will ensure the 10th National Assembly passes the Special Seats Bill into law. This time, we must send out well-structured messages that resonate with legislators and the public. The correct title is the Special Seats Bill, not the reserved seats bill, and such details matter in shaping perception and support.”

Mr Nwankwo stressed that lessons had been drawn from the failed attempt during the 9th Assembly and argued that this renewed push must prioritise “strategic communication and legislative engagement”.

Following, veteran journalist and PLAC Board Member, Gbenga Aruleba, said the bill’s passage would not only benefit women, but also bolster Nigeria’s global standing as a nation committed to fairness, inclusivity and justice. “This bill will go down in history as one of the most transformative decisions of the 10th Assembly,” he said. “It is not just for women; it is for democracy itself.”

Also present, the Hon. Akin Rotimi, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, delivered a goodwill message informing participants that voting on the constitutional-review process, which encompasses the Special Seats Bill, is scheduled for before the end of December 2025. He advised advocates to intensify their efforts and engage legislators with precise, persuasive language. “I can assure you that all lawmakers from Ekiti will support the bill,” he added, citing the increasing number of women in leadership positions in his state as proof that Nigeria is ready for more inclusive governance.

In her address, the National Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Comrade Aisha Ibrahim, described the Special Seats Bill as a “moral and political statement” of the country’s commitment to genuine democracy. “If we fail to get it right this time, it will not just be a missed opportunity, it will be a bad omen for our democracy,” she warned. “But if we succeed, we will set a powerful example of what collective purpose and strategic communication can achieve.”

Contributing to the conversation, the National Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Achike Chude, called for creative advocacy. He recommended lobbying the spouses of legislators as part of a broader outreach to build support for the bill. “With the NUJ’s nationwide presence, journalists will be at the forefront of this advocacy,” he said. “This is not just about women; it’s about placing Nigeria in a positive light globally.”

The Special Seats Bill proposes the creation of additional legislative seats, one per state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in both the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as additional seats in each state assembly, to guarantee women’s representation in governance. Advocates argue that with only four women in the 109-member Senate and a small number in the House, Nigeria’s record undermines the key tenets of inclusion and equity.

Meeting participants unanimously endorsed PLAC’s strategic framework for mass advocacy, which includes media campaigns, town-hall engagements, and targeted outreach to political parties, religious and traditional leaders, and youth groups.

As momentum builds, stakeholders agreed that the coming months will be decisive for the fate of the bill. Their message to lawmakers was clear: passing the Special Seats Bill is not a favour to women, it is a bold step toward a more just, inclusive and representative Nigeria.