The National Assembly has proposed the creation of 74 additional seats for women in the Senate and House of Representatives, alongside three reserved seats for women in each state House of Assembly, as part of efforts to address the underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s political system.

The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this on Monday at the 2026 Law Week organised by the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Ekiti State Chapter.

Bamidele, who is also the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, said the proposals were part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process and would create special legislative seats for women without displacing existing elected representatives.

The initiative, if approved, would add 37 seats to the Senate and 37 to the House of Representatives, ensuring that each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory has one additional seat in each chamber.

The programme was attended by the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Information and National Orientation, Steve Fatoba, and the Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, among others.

Speaking at the event, Bamidele 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.”

The Senate Leader said the proposal followed extensive consultations and consensus-building, adding that the National Assembly had commenced the constitutional review process early to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive exercise.

He added that the legislative initiative “is the fruit of extensive consultation and consensus-building. It is why we commenced the constitutional amendment process early, ensuring that this is not a rushed, haphazard endeavour but a deliberate, inclusive, and thorough reform.

“The proposal, as it stands, is meticulous in its design. It seeks to add 37 seats in the Senate and 37 seats in the House of Representatives. This suggests that if finally approved, each state of the federation, including FCT, will have one additional seat in each of the Houses of the National Assembly.”

Bamidele said the committee had also proposed three additional seats for women in each state House of Assembly, with the arrangement expected to last for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, before a comprehensive review.

He said the proposal was intended to provide women with greater access to legislative representation while allowing time to assess its impact on political participation.

Bamidele further revealed that the constitution review committee “has already proposed three additional seats for each State House of Assembly, all specifically reserved for women, without displacing any existing electoral seats.

“This arrangement is proposed to run for a period of 16 years, four electoral cycles, before a comprehensive review. This is a sunset clause designed to ensure sustainability and to allow for the organic development of a more inclusive political culture.

“We are actively and strategically engaging with the State Houses of Assembly, as their concurrence is a constitutional sine qua non for bringing this reform to fruition. However, let me add a crucial point that speaks to the very essence of our democratic journey and the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The Senate leader said the proposal was not a partisan initiative but a constitutional intervention aimed at addressing the exclusion of women from political decision-making.

Bamidele noted that the resolve of the 10th National Assembly had been strengthened by advocacy from senior government figures, including the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

He said the special seat initiative “is not a partisan endeavour. It is a historic imperative. The rationale is anchored on a simple, yet profound, principle of constitutional law: the foundational precept of representative democracy. A democracy that systematically excludes over half of its population from the decision-making tables that determine their futures is, at best, a flawed democracy and, at worst, a veiled oligarchy.”

He also highlighted the need for legislative interventions to protect vulnerable groups, particularly women, children and persons with disabilities, through improved access to healthcare, education and social protection.

He said: “We were mindful of the reality that the state must intervene to provide a robust safety net where the market and tradition fail. This recognition is translated into legislative support for healthcare initiatives, educational access, and social protection programmes that are meticulously targeted at the most vulnerable demographics: our women, our children, and persons with disabilities.”

On the protection of women and children, Bamidele said Nigeria’s laws must respond to emerging threats that cross geographical boundaries and exploit weaknesses in existing systems.

He stressed that justice must go beyond constitutional provisions and statutory declarations to become accessible and effective for victims of abuse.

He said justice should be more than “a promise merely expressed in the Constitution or a provision enshrined in our statute books. Rather, it must be accessible, affordable, timely, and effective.

“A woman who suffers domestic violence must be able to seek protection without intimidation or social condemnation. A child who experiences abuse must be heard, protected from further harm, and provided with appropriate support.

“Victims must have access to legal assistance, medical care, and psychosocial services, while perpetrators must be held accountable in accordance with due process and the rule of law,” the leader of the Senate said. (Channels TV)