Reserved Seats Bill HB 1349: Akande-Sadipe Urges National Assembly to Back Historic Gender Reform

Akande-Sadipe Leads Strong Push for Reserved Seats Bill Ahead of National Assembly Vote

As the National Assembly prepares for a critical vote on the Reserved Seats Bill (HB 1349), Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe has emerged as one of the most vocal advocates for the legislation, framing it as essential to correcting Nigeria’s longstanding gender imbalance in governance.

Akande-Sadipe described the Bill as “a constitutional correction” rather than an act of charity, insisting that Nigeria cannot claim democratic maturity while women—nearly half the population—hold less than 7% of parliamentary seats.

“This Is Not Charity, This Is Democracy,” Says Akande-Sadipe

The lawmaker stressed that the Reserved Seats Bill is designed to break structural barriers that have prevented women from fully participating in political leadership. According to Akande-Sadipe, Nigeria’s democracy remains incomplete when women’s voices are missing from the rooms where national decisions are made.

She reiterated that no male legislator loses by granting women equitable representation. Instead, she argued, Nigeria gains a more balanced, resilient, and inclusive governance system capable of addressing deeper social and developmental gaps.

Why Akande-Sadipe Says the Bill Is Urgent for National Development

Speaking from her experience as a two-term member of the House and Chair of the House Committee on Humanitarian Services, Akande-Sadipe explained that sectors tied to social welfare, market systems, child protection, healthcare, humanitarian intervention, and rural livelihoods consistently suffer when women are excluded from policymaking.

She pointed to global evidence showing that nations with stronger female representation experience improved governance outcomes, faster economic growth, reduced instability, and higher social welfare indicators.

Civil Society, Advocacy Groups, and Legislators Align With Akande-Sadipe’s Position

Several advocacy groups have echoed Akande-Sadipe’s stance, arguing that meaningful development requires dismantling the structural biases that limit women’s political participation. They maintain that the passage of HB 1349 is a foundational step toward inclusive governance.

Akande-Sadipe called on civil society organisations to intensify public engagement, sensitisation, and grassroots mobilisation as the vote approaches.

Final Appeal as the National Assembly Prepares for a Defining Decision

Addressing her colleagues directly, Akande-Sadipe urged them to vote “not through fear of change but through duty to fairness and national progress.” She insisted that Nigeria cannot advance sustainably while representation remains heavily skewed against women.

The Reserved Seats Bill (HB 1349) now stands as one of the most consequential legislative proposals in the current Assembly—one that could reshape Nigeria’s democratic landscape for generations. Stakeholders across the country will be watching closely to see whether lawmakers seize this moment to align Nigeria with global standards on gender representation.