First Lady Oluremi Tinubu on Friday evening treated the National Assembly to a special dinner at the State House Banquet Hall, where she reiterated her appeal for the passage of the Gender Parity Bill, also known as the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, currently before the legislature.
The event, attended by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas; Vice President Kashim Shettima; Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, who represented the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF); lawmakers from both chambers; and senior government officials, provided what the First Lady described as “a moment for dialogue and reflection” on Nigeria’s democratic future and the centrality of women’s participation.
While speaking, Senator Tinubu said the bill, seeking constitutionally guaranteed seats for women in federal and state legislatures, offered a historic opportunity for Nigeria to reposition its democracy and strengthen national development.
Her words: “I have watched with keenness in recent months as various interest groups across our beloved nation, and even international bodies, have gathered momentum in support of this particular bill. Is this bill indeed possible to scale through? Yes—if not today, someday. But if we do this now, the 10th Assembly will go down in the history of our legislature as the set that stood for women when it counted the most.”
The First Lady urged lawmakers to make the most of the moment to “take care of our girls and boys,” noting that the current challenges facing millions of children, especially the girl child and vulnerable boys in the Almajiri system, underscore the need for inclusive reforms.
“In the past few days, our nation has faced a lot of assault, especially as it concerns the future of the education of the girl child. The boys, on the other hand, through the Almajiri system are deprived of basic necessities… This deprivation opens them up to be lured into the wrong hands. This is why we must prioritise reforms that restore dignity and provide safe learning environments,” she stated.
Senator Tinubu stressed that affirmative measures have improved governance quality in several countries, adding that Nigeria must not be left behind.
“Everyone, male or female, should be given the opportunity to contribute to our shared humanity,” she said.
Responding, Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised the First Lady for what he called “an unprecedented initiative,” affirming that the National Assembly remains committed to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in stabilising the country and advancing inclusive governance.
“We are very determined as a National Assembly to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to overcome the current enemy action in Nigeria,” Akpabio said, referring to recent nationwide insecurity.
He disclosed that he had written to two U.S. congressmen earlier in the day to correct what he described as “a false narrative” suggesting religious persecution in Nigeria.
“The bullets being sprayed have no religion written on them. Muslims are being killed, Christians are being killed… We are united behind this administration to rid this country of insidious elements”, he said.
Akpabio also announced that the Senate had resolved to designate kidnapping as a terrorist act carrying the death penalty with no option of fine or judicial discretion.
On the Gender Parity Bill, the Senate President pledged support, saying, “We will not want you to invite us only when women have a particular interest. Invite us always. Mommy, we are grateful.”
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas commended the First Lady’s “consistent commitment to the well-being of our nation,” noting that her advocacy has given the Women, Peace and Security agenda strong national visibility.
He revealed that the House recently dedicated an entire week of plenary sessions to national security for the first time in Nigeria’s legislative history, with members expressing overwhelming support for President Tinubu’s security reforms.
On the Reserved Seats Bill, Abbas offered a robust defence, “Women constitute almost half of our population but remain severely underrepresented in parliament. This weakens our democracy and undermines national security.”
He explained that the proposed law seeks to guarantee one woman representative from each state in the House of Representatives, alongside special seats in the Senate and state assemblies.
“Global experience shows that when women take part in security policy-making, countries adopt more effective strategies for prevention, community engagement and long-term peacebuilding,” he said. “If this bill succeeds, Nigeria will take a significant step toward inclusion, justice and national stability.”
APC National Chairman Backs First Lady
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, also lent his full support to the First Lady’s call.
