A non-profit organisation, AdvoKC Foundation, has expressed excitement over the Gender Balance in Political and Public Offices Bill, 2026, which recently passed First Reading at the Ogun State House of Assembly. The foundation also urged the assembly to expedite consideration of the bill to ensure its timely passage into law and promote inclusivity in governance. The bill was conceived, researched, and drafted under AdvoKC's Strengthening Women and Youth Political Power Through Promise Tracking, Policy Advocacy, and Public Participation project.
The bill, marked HB No. 037/OG/2026, was sponsored by the Majority Leader of the state House of Assembly, Yusuf Sherif, who adopted the foundation's draft and formally introduced it on the floor of the House. The foundation's Communications Manager, Luqman Adamu, stated that the First Reading marked a significant milestone, as legislation developed through civil society-led research and advocacy formally entered the legislative process of the state assembly.
If passed into law, the bill would require that not less than 35 per cent of appointments to political and public offices in Ogun State be occupied by persons of either gender. Appointing authorities would also need to provide evidence-based justification for any departure from the threshold and establish an annual reporting mechanism to the House of Assembly to track compliance.
AdvoKC Foundation noted that Nigeria's record on gender representation in political and public life remained a concern, with women substantially under-represented in political institutions. Several state Houses of Assembly, including Ogun's, have little or no female representation. The foundation said much of the national conversation on addressing the imbalance had focused on elective offices.
The Gender Composition Bill takes a complementary approach by addressing appointive positions, where executive authorities have significant discretion over appointments. Anchoring a minimum representation threshold in law would provide Ogun State with a more durable framework for promoting gender balance in public appointments and tracking the composition of boards, commissions, councils, and other government institutions.
Project Director of AdvoKC Foundation, Habib Sheidu, said the bill represented an important development in the organisation's efforts to promote gender representation and public accountability. He added that sustained policy advocacy, evidence, and constructive engagement had achieved the bill's introduction and First Reading. AdvoKC will continue to support and follow the legislative process.
Having passed First Reading, the bill will proceed to Second Reading, where its general principles will be debated on the floor before it may be referred to the relevant House committee for further scrutiny and possible public hearing. AdvoKC Foundation will continue to monitor the bill's progress, provide updates to the public, and engage relevant stakeholders to sustain momentum towards its passage and eventual assent.
Key points
- AdvoKC Foundation urges Ogun State House of Assembly to expedite consideration of the Gender Balance in Political and Public Offices Bill.
- The bill aims to ensure 35 per cent of appointments to political and public offices in Ogun State are occupied by persons of either gender.
- Nigeria's record on gender representation in political and public life remains a concern, with women substantially under-represented in political institutions.
