Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), in partnership with
ElectHER, has hosted its September Webinar with the theme: “Unlocking Socio-Economic
Gains: The Case for Reserved Seats and Independent Candidacy Bill.”

The engaging session, moderated by Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, Executive Director of
WIMBIZ, 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 shed light on the purpose,
expected impact, and progress of the Bills, highlighting their potential to transform
Nigeria’s democratic and governance landscape.

According to Hon. Kalu, the cost of excluding women in governance is far greater than the
cost of including them, noting that if women when women are absent from administrative
chambers, issues vital to national development, such as healthcare, education, and socio-
welfare, are often neglected, thereby increasing the circles of poverty.
On his part, Hon. Rotimi said every citizen should have an equal opportunity to be voted for
without any affiliation to any political party, as it fosters growth and development within
the nation and also cuts out the limitations women would have experienced within the
political party system.

In her closing remarks, Ibijoke Faborode, CEO of ElectHER, charged participants to
actively engage in the 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.”
In the same vein, Omowunmi noted that these 2 bills will aid accountability and also give
hope to everyone that their voices and opinions can be heard.

About the Bills

Reserved Seats for Women Bill – Proposes the creation of 37 new Senate seats
(one per state and the FCT) and 37 new House of Representatives seats exclusively
for women. This would significantly boost female representation in governance.

Independent Candidacy Bill – Seeks to allow qualified individuals to contest
elections without political party affiliation, provided they meet set requirements
(such as education and age) and secure signatures from at least 10% of registered
voters in their constituencies.
These Bills are still open for public input, offering Nigerians a rare opportunity to directly
shape the nation’s democratic future.

WIMBIZ and ElectHER reaffirm their commitment to advancing women’s representation,
inclusive leadership, and accountability in governance. Together, we can build a Nigeria
where every voice matters and leadership reflects the nation’s true diversity.

About WIMBIZ:

WIMBIZ (Women in Management, Business, and Public Service) is a non-profit organization
dedicated to promoting and supporting women in leadership roles. WIMBIZ is of African
roots with a global perspective of connecting and inspiring women across the globe to
catalyze their growth to leadership positions and contribution to nation-building. With a
history spanning 24 years, WIMBIZ has implemented various programs that inspire,
empower, and advocate for greater representation of women in both the public and private
sectors.
We have a global network of over 3,357 accomplished women who contribute to their
initiatives in management, business, and public service. WIMBIZ collaborates with
reputable domestic and international organizations to deliver impactful programs,
positively influencing over 344,335 women to excel in their careers and businesses.
www.wimbiz.org

Contact:
WIMBIZ Communications Team
communications@wimbiz.org, +234 810 639 6789