Constitution Review: N’Assembly Proposes 74 Legislative Seats For Women

The National Assembly is considering a proposal to create 74 additional legislative seats for women at the federal level, alongside three reserved seats in each of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, as part of ongoing efforts to improve women’s representation in Nigerian politics.

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

Bamidele, who is also the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, explained that the proposal forms part of the ongoing constitutional amendment exercise and is designed to increase women’s participation in governance without removing any existing elected lawmakers.

Under the proposed arrangement, the Senate and House of Representatives would each have 37 additional seats reserved exclusively for women, bringing the total to 74 across the National Assembly. Each state and the Federal Capital Territory would be entitled to one additional seat in both chambers.

The proposal also provides for three additional seats reserved for women in each of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, bringing the total number of proposed reserved seats at the state level to 108.

Speaking on the initiative, Bamidele said a constitutional amendment bill providing for special legislative seats for women in both national and state assemblies was receiving attention from lawmakers.

He explained that the proposal followed extensive consultations and stakeholder engagements, stressing that the National Assembly was committed to ensuring that the constitutional review process was thorough, inclusive and not rushed.

According to him, the proposed arrangement would remain in place for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, after which its effectiveness would be comprehensively reviewed.

He described the 16-year provision as a sunset clause intended to provide sufficient time to assess the impact of the initiative and encourage a more inclusive political culture.

Bamidele also disclosed that the Constitution Review Committee was engaging State Houses of Assembly to secure the necessary legislative concurrence required to complete the constitutional amendment process.

He maintained that the proposal was not driven by partisan interests but was intended to address the longstanding exclusion of women from critical political and legislative decision-making processes.

The Senate Leader further acknowledged the contributions of prominent government figures, including First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, whose advocacy for greater women’s participation in governance has strengthened support for the initiative.

He argued that a democratic system that excludes a significant proportion of its population from decision-making cannot fully reflect the principles of representative governance.

Beyond political representation, Bamidele highlighted the need for stronger legislative measures to protect vulnerable groups, particularly women, children and persons with disabilities.

He called for improved access to healthcare, education, social protection and other essential services, noting that government intervention remained necessary to protect vulnerable citizens who might otherwise be neglected by existing social and economic structures.

On gender-based violence and child protection, he stressed that victims must have access to effective justice, legal assistance, medical attention and psychological support.

He added that women experiencing domestic violence should be able to seek protection without intimidation or societal discrimination, while children subjected to abuse must receive adequate protection and support.

Bamidele emphasised that justice should not exist merely as a constitutional guarantee but must be accessible, affordable, timely and effective for those seeking redress.

The event 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 other dignitaries.

The proposal is subject to the completion of the constitutional amendment process and the required approval by the State Houses of Assembly.