What’s on the floor this week and why it matters for women
Nigeria’s Senate is debating bills that could reshape how elections are run, how health institutions function, and whether women finally get structural representation in government. These aren’t abstract policy talks. They touch credibility, access, and who gets to be in the room when decisions are made.
1) Senate Pushes Real-Time Results and Tougher Vote Buying Fines.
Ahead of the elections next year, the Senate is debating amendments that would reframe the way elections run, the way results are collated and ultimately bring closer to reality the idea of a free and fair election in Nigeria.
One of the highlights of these amendments is the mandate for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to transmit polling unit results to INEC Result Viewing portal (IReV) in real time.
However, the Nigerian Senate passed the Electoral Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill 2026, but rejected mandatory real-time electronic transmission of results.
Other changes include compelling INEC to recognise Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the law, punishing presiding officers who fail to sign and stamp results, tightening rules around assisted voting, and to that effect raising the fine for buying or selling Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) from ₦500,000 to ₦5,000,000. According to the NBS, voter buying increased by 5% in the 2023 elections, as compared to the prior cycle.
These tougher penalties should discourage voter buying and reduce result manipulation, making elections feel more credible. Though female representation in politics is only low, credibility affects women's participation and their decision to run for office; so for us to see a more inclusive, progressive government, we need to ensure the safety of our votes.
2) President Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu sends 24 health bills to the Senate
President Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu transmitted 24 health sector bills to the Senate.
They touch key institutions including the National Hospital for Women and Children, nursing and midwifery regulation, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and blood services.
With the World Bank estimates Nigeria’s maternal mortality ratio at 993 per 100,000 live births (2023), the Presidency is making moves to improve care for women and children through better governance. We hope this actually makes a difference.
We'll be checking in to let you know!
3) Reserved Seats for Women Bill enters a make-or-break window
Barely 30 days to the National Assembly decision to seal the fate of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill.
The bill requires two-thirds approval across the National and State Assemblies to become law. Civil society organisations and advocacy groups, including Women Impacting Nigeria, continue to call for its swift passage before the end of this legislative cycle.
One widely cited outline is 74 additional seats at the National Assembly level (one extra seat per state plus FCT in the Senate, and the same structure for the House of Reps), plus three extra seats per state assembly (108 total).
We hope this moves Nigeria from “women are missing from the room” to “women are built into the room”, because right now, women are about 4.2% of the entire 10th National Assembly.
3) Reserved Seats for Women Bill enters a make-or-break window
Barely 30 days to the National Assembly decision to seal the fate of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill.
The bill requires two-thirds approval across the National and State Assemblies to become law. Civil society organisations and advocacy groups, including Women Impacting Nigeria, continue to call for its swift passage before the end of this legislative cycle.
One widely cited outline is 74 additional seats at the National Assembly level (one extra seat per state plus FCT in the Senate, and the same structure for the House of Reps), plus three extra seats per state assembly (108 total).
We hope this moves Nigeria from “women are missing from the room” to “women are built into the room”, because right now, women are about 4.2% of the entire 10th National Assembly.