OGUN GENDER BILL SEEKS 35% REPRESENTATION IN PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS

A proposed law seeking to promote gender balance in political and public appointments in Ogun State has passed First Reading at the State House of Assembly.

The Gender Balance in Political and Public Offices Bill, 2026, sponsored by the Assembly’s Majority Leader, Yusuf Sherif, seeks to establish a minimum 35 per cent representation for either gender in appointments to public offices.

The bill covers positions including commissioners, special advisers, special assistants and appointments to state boards, commissions, councils and agencies.

AdvoKC Foundation, which developed and advocated the proposed legislation, has urged the Assembly to speed up its consideration.

The organisation said the bill would also require appointing authorities to provide evidence-based justification when the proposed representation threshold is not met.

It further proposes an annual reporting system through which compliance across ministries, departments and agencies would be monitored.

AdvoKC said the bill was developed through its project on strengthening women and youth participation in politics and public affairs.

The foundation said the legislation would complement existing efforts to address gender imbalance by focusing on appointive positions, where government authorities have significant influence over appointments.

Following First Reading, the bill is expected to proceed to Second Reading, committee consideration and possible public hearing before further legislative stages.