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 women’s representation in Nigerian politics.
The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this on Monday, explaining that the proposal was part of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution.
Bamidele, who is also Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, said the committee had proposed 37 additional seats in the Senate and another 37 in the House of Representatives.
Under the proposal, each state and the Federal Capital Territory would get one additional seat in each chamber, reserved exclusively for women.
He also revealed that three additional seats reserved for women had been proposed for each State House of Assembly, without affecting existing seats.
The Senate Leader made the disclosure at the 2026 Law Week organised by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ekiti State Chapter.
The event, chaired by Mrs Ayobami Olowoyo-Richards, focused on the theme, “Justice in a Changing World: Responding to New Challenges Affecting Women and Children”.
Speaking at the event, Bamidele said a constitutional amendment bill seeking special seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly was receiving attention at the National Assembly.
He explained that the proposal followed extensive consultations and was designed to ensure a more inclusive political system rather than a rushed constitutional amendment.
According to him, the proposed arrangement would last for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, after which it would be reviewed.
Bamidele said the committee was already engaging State Houses of Assembly to secure the support required to move the proposal forward.
He noted that approval by at least two-thirds of the state assemblies was a constitutional requirement for the amendment to become law.
The Senate Leader described the initiative as an effort to address the long-standing underrepresentation of women in political decision-making.
He argued that a democracy could not fully reflect the interests of its people if women, who make up a significant proportion of the population, remained largely absent from positions where important decisions were made.
Bamidele added that the 10th National Assembly had received encouragement from prominent advocates, including the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
He also highlighted the need for stronger legislation and social protection programmes to improve access to healthcare, education and support for women, children and persons with disabilities.
Beyond political representation, the Senate Leader called for laws that respond effectively to emerging threats against women and children.
He said justice must go beyond promises in the Constitution and provisions in law books, stressing that it should be accessible, affordable, timely and effective.
According to him, women experiencing domestic violence should be able to seek protection without intimidation or social pressure, while children who suffer abuse must be heard and protected from further harm.
He also called for better access to legal assistance, medical care and psychological support for victims, insisting that perpetrators must be held accountable under the law.
The constitutional review proposal is expected to undergo further consideration and consultation before any final decision is reached.
