National Assembly Proposes 74 Additional Seats for Women in Senate, House of Reps

The National Assembly Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has proposed the creation of 74 additional seats for women in the Senate and House of Representatives as part of efforts to improve female representation in Nigerian politics.

Senate Leader and Vice Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this on Monday at the 2026 Law Week organised by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ekiti State Chapter.

He also revealed that the committee had proposed three additional seats in each State House of Assembly, all reserved for women, without affecting existing electoral seats.

Proposal to Add 74 Seats at National Assembly

According to Bamidele, the proposal seeks to create 37 additional seats in the Senate and another 37 in the House of Representatives. If approved, each state and the Federal Capital Territory would have one additional seat in each chamber reserved for women.

He explained that the initiative was part of a constitutional amendment bill currently receiving attention at the National Assembly. The proposal is intended to deepen women's participation in national and state-level governance.

The proposed arrangement would run for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, before a comprehensive review. Bamidele described the provision as a sunset clause designed to allow a more inclusive political culture to develop.

State Assemblies' Approval Required

The Senate Leader said the committee was engaging with State Houses of Assembly to secure their support, noting that their concurrence was constitutionally required for the amendment to become law.

He described the initiative as a non-partisan effort, arguing that representative democracy should provide women with greater opportunities to participate in decisions affecting the country.

Bamidele added that advocacy from key government figures, including First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, had contributed to the National Assembly's resolve to advance the proposal.

Bamidele Calls for Stronger Protection of Women and Children

Beyond political representation, Bamidele urged lawmakers and relevant institutions to strengthen legal protections for women and children against emerging threats, including domestic violence and abuse.

He said justice must be accessible, affordable, timely and effective, adding that victims should receive legal assistance, medical care and psychosocial support, while perpetrators must be held accountable under the law.

The FIDA 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.”

Other attendees included Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Information and National Orientation, Steve Fatoba, and Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye.

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