Ogun Assembly Signals Support for Women’s Inclusion as NAWOJ Pushes Special Seats Bill

The Ogun State House of Assembly has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive governance and broader representation following an advocacy visit by the Ogun State chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), which urged lawmakers to support constitutional reforms aimed at increasing women’s participation in politics.

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  During the engagement at the Assembly complex, the Speaker, Oludaisi Elemide, welcomed the delegation and commended the association for championing equity and democratic development. He noted that the legislature recognizes the importance of ensuring that governance structures reflect the diversity of society.

The visit centered on NAWOJ’s formal presentation of a position paper seeking legislative backing for the Special Seats Bill (HB1349), a constitutional proposal designed to address the persistent underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s legislative houses.

In a letter addressed to the Speaker, NAWOJ Acting Chairperson, Oluwatoyin Adegoke, stressed that Nigeria’s democratic process cannot be considered fully representative when a significant portion of the population remains structurally excluded from decision-making positions.

According to her, the marginal presence of women in legislative institutions is not a reflection of competence but a result of longstanding systemic barriers that require deliberate legislative intervention.

The association described the Special Seats Bill as an important step toward strengthening democratic credibility and ensuring more balanced participation in governance across the country. NAWOJ also urged the Ogun State House of Assembly to take a leading role in supporting gender-responsive policies.

Specifically, the group called for the Speaker’s support in advocating for the passage of the bill at the national level, encouraging state-level resolutions that promote women’s political inclusion, and aligning Ogun lawmakers with broader national efforts aimed at removing obstacles to women’s leadership.

Responding, Speaker Elemide assured the delegation that the Assembly would continue to promote policies that support sustainable democratic growth and inclusive participation, noting that representation remains a fundamental pillar of a thriving and balanced society.

He emphasized that the Ogun State House of Assembly remains open to constructive engagement with stakeholders and will continue to encourage initiatives that strengthen democratic institutions and participation across all segments of the population.