Abuja, FCT—The nation’s thirty-six State Governors, operating under the distinguished umbrella of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), unanimously resolved on Friday to actively champion the passage of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill (HB 1349). This pivotal decision marks a significant commitment by the nation’s chief executives towards advancing gender equity in Nigerian governance.
The resolution was formally communicated via a comprehensive communiqué read by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on behalf of the NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor, Mr. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The Reserved Seats for Women Bill (HB 1349) is designed to amend the 1999 Constitution, proposing the establishment of special constituencies to be contested exclusively by women across both the National and State Assemblies. The measure is underscored as a temporary yet crucial strategy to enhance significantly the currently modest female political representation in Nigeria’s legislative chambers.
With the bill scheduled for voting within the National Assembly between November 4th and 6th, 2025, Governor AbdulRazaq emphasised the urgency of collective action. He urged all governors to immediately engage and mobilise their respective Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, and State Assembly representatives to lend their full support to the bill’s passage. The Forum affirmed that its successful enactment would conclusively affirm Nigeria’s commitment to equity and inclusive governance.
Economic and Security Mandates
Beyond the groundbreaking legislative endorsement, the eminent governors received essential briefings on the nation’s economic stability and prevailing security challenges.
Economic Policy: Dr. Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, Deputy Governor (Economic Policy) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), updated the Forum on coordinated efforts to stabilise the economy. Key initiatives highlighted included a tightened monetary policy, the unification of exchange rate windows, and a rigorous bank recapitalisation exercise, all aimed at reducing inflation and boosting financial liquidity. The governors offered their collective commendation for the coordinated efforts between the CBN and the fiscal authorities, underscoring the necessity of sustained collaboration to foster economic growth and fiscal stability across the subnational territories.
Security Briefing: Subsequently, Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), provided an intelligence-led briefing on rising threats, including violent extremism, persistent communal conflicts, and unique challenges linked to the current economic and political transitions. The Forum welcomed the DSS’s strategy to enhance subnational coordination and committed to deepening intelligence sharing with Federal agencies to strengthen the framework for national peace and security.
