By Sharon Akuboh
History was made on the 29th of October 2025, NAWOJ together with other media professionals, civil society organisations, and gender advocates gathered to push for the passage of the Special Seats Bill for Women, the aim to urge the 10th National Assembly to take decisive action before the end of 2025.
This event was put together by The Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), with funding support from the European Union (EU) to develop campaign strategies that will ensure that the Special Seats Bill is passed at the National Assembly.
The Executive Director of PLAC, Mr. Clement Nwankwo acknowledged the presence of all participants and commended their efforts over time to bring about the anticipated change. He added that the media and civil society can do more by sending out well structured messages that will be more meaningful to legislators and the public. He also clarified that the correct title of the bill is” Special Seats Bill”. Mr.Nwankwo emphasized that lessons had been learnt from the failed attempt during the 9th Assembly and things can be done better.
Mr. Gbenga Aruleba, PLAC Board Member in his statement said “This bill will go down in history as one of the most transformative decisions of the 10th Assembly,”
Hon. Akin Rotimi, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs,in his Goodwill message commended PLAC and EU for organizing the event while emphasizing on the need to carry the legislators along by using consistent terminologies that are not threatening, giving intelligent answers and creating more accessibility for information on the Special Seats bill.
He added that Legislators should be seen more as collaborators as the passage of this bill is highly dependent on their votes. He advised that advocacy be intensified before December as the passage of the bill will be taking place during that period.
In the same light, Comrade Aisha Ibrahim,The National Chairperson of NAWOJ in her good will message added that the purpose of the meeting goes beyond drafting talking points it entails sending out strong, coherent messages that will resonate across the nation and beyond our borders. In her words
“Let us be clear: 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 and for the values we hold dear as a nation. But if we succeed, we will set a powerful example of what collective purpose, thoughtful engagement, and strategic communication can achieve”
Also, speaking at the event was Mr. Achike Chude, National Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) who suggested wives of Legislators can be a channel to champion the said cause and that NUJ will be inviting legislators at the state house of Assemblies in their next monthly meetings to push for advocacy.
PLAC enumerated mobilizing support for the passage of the Special Seat Bill in the National Assembly,establishing and strengthening partnerships with Civil Society Organisations, women groups, the media and private sector to collectively advocate for the bill, increase public awareness and support for the Special Seat Bill for women through targeted media campaigns while providing a roadmap for the Special Seat Bill legislative advocacy as the next steps to take in achieving the passage of the bill.
The Special Seats Bill seeks to create additional legislative seats — one per state and the Federal Capital Territory in both the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as in state assemblies — to guarantee women’s representation in governance.
The meeting was so engaging as participants contributed with high spirits indicating they are ready and willing to do the work needed for the last lap of turning this dream into a reality. Participants endorsed PLAC’s strategic framework for advocacy and promised to run with it.
Wasilah Ladan
NAWOJ National Secretary