Nigeria’s democracy is strongest when it reflects the diversity of its people, yet women, young people, persons with disabilities, and other marginalised groups remain consistently underrepresented in the country’s legislatures. Since the return to civilian rule in 1999, progress has been made in consolidating democratic practices, but systemic barriers such as financial constraints, political violence, socio-cultural biases, and entrenched party structures continue to prevent fair participation in politics. Women currently occupy less than five percent of seats in the National Assembly. Youths, who constitute more than sixty percent of the population, remain largely absent from legislative structures, while an estimated fifteen million citizens living with disabilities are almost entirely excluded from representation.

Against this background, Professor Jerry Sonny Ugokwe, an expert in legislative studies and governance, is advocating for the establishment of Special Seats in Nigeria’s legislatures. He argues that this reform is both a constitutional necessity and a moral imperative. The proposal draws inspiration from global best practices, particularly Rwanda, which through constitutional provision has achieved the world’s highest level of female parliamentary representation, now above sixty percent. Countries such as Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya have also demonstrated the effectiveness of inclusive frameworks in strengthening governance and public trust.

The proposed Nigerian model involves amending the 1999 Constitution to create reserved seats in the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly. Thirty percent of these would be allocated to women, ten percent to youths aged between 18 and 35, and five percent to persons with disabilities. Candidates for the special seats would be elected through proportional representation from party lists, regulated by the Independent National Electoral Commission. The measure would be subject to review after three electoral cycles, ensuring flexibility and accountability.

Professor Ugokwe emphasises that the creation of special seats is not intended to replace open competition, but to correct structural disadvantages that hinder inclusivity. By broadening representation, Nigeria would improve the quality of its lawmaking, honour commitments under international instruments such as the African Charter on Democracy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and reduce political exclusion, which has historically been a driver of social unrest. He acknowledges that resistance from political elites and concerns about tokenism may arise, but insists that merit-based selection, transparency, and sustained dialogue can address such challenges.

In his words, “Nigeria stands at a crossroads in its democratic evolution. By creating special seats in the legislatures, we affirm our commitment to fairness, inclusion, and representative democracy. This reform is not an act of charity—it is a strategic investment in a stronger, more unified, and more prosperous Nigeria.” He therefore calls on the Presidency, the National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly, political parties, and civil society to support the constitutional and legislative amendments required to bring this vision into reality.