As part of the 2026 National Assembly Open Week, the House of Representatives convened the National Dialogue on the Electoral College Model for the Special Seats Bill, bringing together legislators, government officials, development partners, civil society organisations, women leaders, and governance experts to examine the revised proposal and build consensus around one of Nigeria’s most significant proposed constitutional reforms on women’s political representation.

Delivering the remarks of House Speaker Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, described the Special Seats Bill as a defining opportunity for the 10th National Assembly to expand women’s representation. While acknowledging the growing momentum behind the Bill, he stressed that advocacy must extend beyond the National Assembly to the State Houses of Assembly, where constitutional amendments must also secure approval.

In her welcome remarks, Honourable Kafilat Ogbara, Chairperson, House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, described the Bill as a practical response to Nigeria’s persistent gender gap in elective office. Chair of the dialogue, Rt. Hon. Patricia Olubunmi Etteh, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, urged stakeholders to build consensus around the reform and ensure that history remembers this generation for choosing inclusion over exclusion.

Her Excellency Hajiya Fatima Abbas Tajudeen, Chairperson of the House of Representatives Spouses Association (HORSA), described the Bill as a timely reform and urged continued support for women’s political inclusion.
Contributions from Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, Deputy Governor of Rivers State, and Hon. Omosede Igbinedion, Member of the House of Representatives, reinforced the case for greater inclusion, describing the Bill as an important step towards strengthening women’s representation.

Contributions from Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Professor Ngozi Nma Odu, Deputy Governor of Rivers State, and Hon. Omosede Gabriella Igbinedion, Member of the House of Representatives, reinforced the case for greater inclusion, describing the Bill as an important step towards ensuring women have a stronger voice in governance.

International partners also reaffirmed their support. Ambassador Gautier Mignot, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, described the Bill as “a window of opportunity that should not be missed,” while Chris Okeke, Governance Team Lead at the British High Commission, reiterated the UK’s support for more inclusive democratic institutions.

Speaking for PLAC NG, PLAC Executive Director, Clement Nwankwo, traced the evolution of the Special Seats Bill from the 8th Assembly through successive revisions. He described it as one of the most consequential constitutional reforms before the current Assembly and called for sustained national and state-level advocacy to secure its passage.

Discussions focused on safeguards for the transparency and independence of the proposed Electoral College, the constitutional pathway for passing the Bill, and the shared responsibility of the legislature, civil society, and development partners in advancing inclusive political representation.

The dialogue concluded with a renewed commitment to build broad-based support for the Special Seats Bill and strengthen Nigeria’s democracy through more inclusive representation.