BIAS

This study examined gender bias and legislative representation in Nigeria, with particular focus on the Tenth Senate, using the experiences of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as a case study. The study sought to determine how party-level discrimination, media bias, financial discrimination, and political violence influence women's legislative representation and participation in Nigeria. The study adopted a quantitative survey research design supported by qualitative insights and an ex-post facto approach. The population comprised the 109 members of the Tenth Senate, from which a sample size of 52 respondents was determined using Taro Yamane's formula. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and relevant secondary sources, including National Assembly records, scholarly publications, and media reports. Descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis, and thematic analysis were used to analyze the data with the aid of SPSS/STATA. The findings revealed that gender bias remains a significant barrier to women's legislative representation in Nigeria. Party-level discrimination, financial constraints, media bias, and political violence continue to hinder women's access to elective positions and limit their effectiveness within legislative institutions. The study further found that the experiences of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, including her committee reassignment, suspension, and interactions with Senate leadership, generated widespread debate on institutional fairness, gender equality, and women's representation in the Tenth Senate. The study concluded that increasing the number of women in legislative offices alone is insufficient without addressing the structural and institutional barriers that limit their participation and influence. It therefore recommended reforms in political party nomination processes, improved access to campaign finance, stronger protection against political violence, and the promotion of gender-sensitive policies to enhance women's legislative representation in Nigeria. Keywords: Gender bias, legislative representation, Tenth Senate, women in politics, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Godswill Akpabio, Nigeria.