The National Assembly is considering a proposal to create 74 additional seats for women in the Senate and House of Representatives as part of efforts to improve female representation in Nigeria’s political system.
Politics Nigeria reports that the proposal also seeks to provide three additional seats for women in each State House of Assembly without affecting existing seats.
Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this on Monday at the 2026 Law Week organised by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ekiti State Chapter.
Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District, said the proposals were aimed at increasing women’s participation in political and governance processes.
The programme, chaired by Mrs Ayobami Olowoyo-Richards, was held under the theme, “Justice in a Changing World: Responding to New Challenges Affecting Women and Children.”
In a statement issued by his Media Directorate, Bamidele, who is also Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, said the proposed special seats were part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
He said: “A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for special seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly and for related matters is receiving our attention at the National Assembly.”
Explaining the proposal, the Senate Leader said it would provide 37 additional seats in the Senate and another 37 in the House of Representatives.
According to him, each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory would have one additional seat in each chamber if the proposal is approved.
He added that the committee had proposed three additional seats for women in every State House of Assembly.
Bamidele said the arrangement would operate for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, before undergoing a comprehensive review.
He described the proposed 16-year period as a sunset clause designed to give room for the development of a more inclusive political culture.
He also disclosed that the committee was engaging with state Houses of Assembly, whose approval was constitutionally required for the proposed amendment to become effective.
The Senate Leader maintained that the initiative was not partisan but intended to address the under-representation of women in decision-making positions.
He said the 10th National Assembly’s commitment to the proposal had received support from key government figures, including First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
On the protection of women and children, Bamidele said existing laws must address emerging threats and guarantee access to justice for victims of abuse.
He stressed that justice should be accessible, affordable, timely and effective, adding that women experiencing domestic violence and children subjected to abuse must be protected from intimidation and further harm.
He also advocated access to legal assistance, medical care and psychosocial support for victims, while perpetrators should be held accountable in accordance with due process and the rule of law.
The event was attended by the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Information and National Orientation, Hon. Steve Fatoba, and Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, among others.