National Assembly Proposes 74 Extra Seats for Women in Senate, Reps

The National Assembly has proposed the creation of 74 additional legislative 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 their underrepresentation in Nigeria’s political system.

Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this on Monday at the 2026 Law Week organised by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ekiti State chapter, with the theme, “Justice in a Changing World: Responding to New Challenges Affecting Women and Children.”

Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District and is Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, said the proposal was part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process.

He explained that the initiative was designed to break barriers limiting women’s participation in governance and promote an inclusive political system without displacing existing elected representatives.

Under the proposal, 37 additional seats would be created in the Senate and another 37 in the House of Representatives, giving each state and the Federal Capital Territory one extra seat in both chambers.

Speaking at the event, Bamidele said a bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide special seats for women in the National and state Houses of Assembly was receiving attention at the National Assembly.

“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,” he said.

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 described the initiative as a deliberate reform rather than a rushed legislative intervention.

“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 the FCT, will have one additional seat in each of the Houses of the National Assembly,” he said.

Bamidele further disclosed that the committee had proposed three additional seats reserved for women in each state House of Assembly.

He said the arrangement would run for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, before a comprehensive review to assess its impact and sustainability.

“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,” he said.

He added that the committee was engaging state Houses of Assembly, whose approval is constitutionally required for the proposed amendment to become law.

The Senate Leader maintained that the initiative was not politically motivated but a constitutional intervention aimed at addressing the exclusion of women from decision-making processes.

He said the 10th National Assembly’s commitment to the proposal had been strengthened by advocacy from prominent government figures, including the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.

Bamidele argued that a democratic system that excludes a significant proportion of its population from political representation undermines the principle 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 said.

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

According to him, government intervention is necessary where market forces and traditional structures fail to protect vulnerable citizens.

“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,” he said.

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

He stressed that access to justice should go beyond constitutional provisions and statutory declarations to become practical and effective for victims of abuse.

“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,” he said.

Bamidele called for stronger collaboration among the legislature, executive, judiciary, law enforcement agencies, social welfare institutions, religious organisations, traditional rulers, civil society groups and the private sector to improve the protection of women and children.

He also urged FIDA to deepen its engagement with the National Assembly and other relevant institutions by identifying gaps in existing laws, proposing reforms and ensuring that government policies and budgetary provisions deliver tangible benefits to vulnerable Nigerians.

In her address, the Vice-Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Professor Smaranda Olarinde, called for stronger legal and institutional frameworks to protect women and children against emerging forms of abuse, particularly those enabled by technology and economic vulnerabilities.

Olarinde identified cyberstalking, online harassment, deepfake images, impersonation and the exploitation of children as growing threats associated with the increasing use of artificial intelligence and digital platforms.

She called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, universities, religious and traditional leaders, the media and civil society organisations to tackle gender-based violence and child abuse.

The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, described Bamidele as well-positioned to address emerging issues requiring legislative and policy reforms for the protection of women and children.

In her welcome address, FIDA Ekiti State Chairperson, Ayobami Olowoyo-Richards, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to promoting, protecting and preserving the rights of women and children.

She noted that changing social realities continued to create complex challenges for the safety, dignity and fundamental rights of vulnerable groups.

“We must continually strengthen our laws, institutions, and collective response to ensure that justice remains accessible, effective, and responsive to their needs,” she said.