Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) has called on Nigerians to rally behind two key legislative proposals—the Reserved Seats for Women Bill and the Independent Candidacy Bill—which aim to strengthen inclusion, accountability, and citizen participation in governance.

The advocacy came during WIMBIZ’s September Webinar, held in partnership with ElectHER, under the theme “Unlocking Socio-Economic Gains: The Case for Reserved Seats and Independent Candidacy Bill.” The virtual session was moderated by Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, Executive Director of WIMBIZ, and featured the lead sponsors of the Bills—Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Hon. Akin Rotimi, Chairman, House Committee on Media & Public Affairs.

Both legislators outlined the purpose and potential impact of the Bills, describing them as critical steps toward a more inclusive and representative democracy.

Hon. Kalu emphasised that excluding women from governance comes at a high national cost, pointing out that the absence of women in decision-making spaces often leads to the neglect of vital issues such as healthcare, education, and social welfare. “The cost of excluding women is far greater than the cost of including them,” he said.

Hon. Rotimi, on his part, stressed that the Independent Candidacy Bill is designed to open Nigeria’s political space, allowing qualified citizens to contest elections without being tied to political parties. According to him, this measure would promote fairness, reduce barriers to entry—particularly for women—and encourage innovation and diversity in leadership.

In her closing remarks, Ibijoke Faborode, CEO of ElectHER, urged Nigerians to become more engaged in the legislative process. “It’s not only about running for office; it’s about every citizen holding leaders accountable and pushing for a system that reflects all voices,” she said.

Echoing the same sentiment, Akingbohungbe noted that both Bills would enhance accountability and restore public confidence in governance by ensuring that all segments of society are heard.

The Reserved Seats for Women Bill proposes the creation of 37 new Senate seats—one for each state and the FCT—and an additional 37 seats in the House of Representatives reserved exclusively for women. This, advocates say, would significantly boost female representation in governance and bridge Nigeria’s gender gap in political participation.

Meanwhile, the Independent Candidacy Bill seeks to allow qualified individuals to run for office without political party affiliation, provided they meet specified requirements such as age, education, and endorsement by at least 10% of registered voters in their constituencies.

Both Bills remain open for public input, presenting Nigerians with a unique opportunity to contribute to the shaping of the country’s democratic and political future.