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

Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this on Monday, November 2, 2026, while speaking at the 2026 Law Week organised by the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Ekiti State Chapter.

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Bamidele, who is also the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, said the proposal formed part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process.

Under the plan, 37 additional seats would be created in the Senate and another 37 in the House of Representatives.

Each state and the Federal Capital Territory would have one additional seat in both chambers, specifically reserved for women.

The proposal also includes three additional seats for women in each state House of Assembly, without displacing existing elected representatives.

Bamidele said the constitutional amendment bill providing for special seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly was receiving attention at the National Assembly.

He explained that the initiative followed extensive consultations and consensus-building, adding that lawmakers had started the review process early to ensure a thorough and inclusive exercise.

According to him, the proposed arrangement for state assemblies would run for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, before a comprehensive review.

He described the 16-year period as a sunset clause intended to assess the impact of the initiative and encourage the gradual development of a more inclusive political culture.

The Senate leader also disclosed that the committee was engaging with state Houses of Assembly, whose approval is constitutionally required for the proposed amendment to become effective.

Bamidele maintained that the initiative was not a partisan political arrangement but an intervention aimed at addressing the limited participation of women in legislative decision-making.

He said the proposal was driven by the principle of representative democracy, arguing that a system that excludes a significant portion of the population from decision-making risks undermining democratic inclusion.

He added that advocacy from senior government figures, including First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, had strengthened the resolve of the 10th National Assembly to pursue the initiative.

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 and social protection programmes, noting that government intervention was necessary where existing systems failed to adequately protect vulnerable citizens.

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

He stressed that justice must be accessible, affordable, timely and effective, rather than existing only as provisions in the Constitution or other laws.

Bamidele said women experiencing domestic violence should be able to seek protection without intimidation or social condemnation, while children who suffer abuse must be heard, protected and provided with appropriate support.

He also emphasised the importance of ensuring that victims have access to legal assistance, medical care and psychosocial services, while perpetrators are held accountable in accordance with due process and the rule of law.

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The proposed special seats for women remain subject to the constitutional amendment process and the required approval of the state Houses of Assembly.