A landmark legislative effort aimed at boosting female inclusion in Nigeria’s military has gained significant traction, as the House of Representatives on Tuesday passed for second reading a bill seeking to mandate a minimum 15 percent female representation in the armed forces.
The proposed amendment to the Armed Forces Act of 2004 is spearheaded by Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, a lawmaker representing Kosofe Federal Constituency of Lagos under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The bill, she says, targets the entrenched underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s defence sector.
Presenting the bill before the House, Ogbara argued that current recruitment and promotion practices lack clear gender-inclusive provisions, thereby perpetuating inequality.
“Women remain grossly underrepresented, especially in leadership and combat roles within the armed forces. This bill is a bold step towards changing that narrative,” she stated.
In her lead debate, Ogbara cited institutional barriers and cultural stereotypes as key contributors to the imbalance, emphasizing the absence of affirmative action in military recruitment and advancement policies.
The bill draws inspiration from international frameworks such as the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, as well as Nigeria’s own National Action Plan, which advocate the inclusion of women in peacebuilding and security operations.
If passed into law, the legislation would not only enforce a gender quota but also establish a monitoring unit tasked with tracking and reporting compliance.
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This unit would be responsible for collecting gender-disaggregated data across recruitment, training, and promotion stages.
“The inclusion of a monitoring mechanism is in line with global best practices and Nigeria’s constitutional commitment to gender equality under Section 42,” Ogbara said.
The proposed bill received unanimous support during Tuesday’s plenary, with Speaker Tajudeen Abbas putting it to a voice vote, which sailed through without opposition.
Describing the bill as “a call to justice, equity, and national development,” Ogbara expressed optimism that its passage would set a precedent for deeper reforms across other security and paramilitary agencies.
With the second reading now complete, the bill moves to the Committee Stage, where it will undergo further scrutiny before returning for third reading and final passage.
The move is being hailed by gender rights advocates as a significant step toward building a more inclusive and operationally effective Nigerian military.