Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Friday hosted members of the National Assembly to a special dinner at the State House Banquet Hall, where she renewed her appeal for the swift passage of the Gender Parity Bill, also known as the Reserved Seats for Women Bill.

The event featured an interactive session focused on national challenges and ways the legislature and the presidency can deepen collaboration for development.

Mrs Tinubu described the bill as a historic opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy and widen women’s participation in governance. She noted the growing national and international support for the bill and urged lawmakers to seize the moment.

She highlighted concerns affecting young Nigerians—especially the girl-child and boys in the Almajiri system—stressing the need for reforms that create safer learning conditions and reduce vulnerability.

The First Lady said countries that adopted affirmative action had recorded improvements in governance quality and policy inclusiveness, adding that Nigeria should not lag behind.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, praised the First Lady’s initiative and reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to supporting President Tinubu’s efforts to stabilise the country. He also revealed that the Senate had resolved to classify kidnapping as a terrorist act punishable by death.

On the Gender Parity Bill, Akpabio assured that female-focused legislative issues would continue to receive attention.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, also commended the First Lady’s advocacy, noting that women, despite being nearly half of Nigeria’s population, remain underrepresented in parliament. He said the House had recently devoted an entire week to national security debates, reflecting members’ support for ongoing reforms.

Dignitaries at the dinner included Vice President Kashim Shettima, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, and other top government officials.