The National Assembly of Nigeria has proposed the creation of 74 additional seats for women in the Senate and House of Representatives. This initiative aims to address the underrepresentation of women in Nigeria's political system. The proposal includes adding 37 seats to the Senate and 37 to the House of Representatives. Each state and the Federal Capital Territory would have one additional seat in each chamber.
The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this information at the 2026 Law Week organised by the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Ekiti State Chapter. The event was attended by notable figures, including 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.
According to Senator Bamidele, the proposal follows extensive consultations and consensus-building. The National Assembly commenced the constitutional review process early to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive exercise. The proposed legislative initiative seeks to add special seats for women without displacing existing elected representatives.
The proposed arrangement suggests that each state, including the Federal Capital Territory, would have three additional seats in the state House of Assembly, all reserved for women. This arrangement is expected to last for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, before a comprehensive review. The goal is to provide women with greater access to legislative representation while allowing time to assess its impact on political participation.
Senator Bamidele emphasized that the proposal is not a partisan initiative but a constitutional intervention aimed at addressing the exclusion of women from political decision-making. The initiative has been strengthened by advocacy from senior government figures, including the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The Senate Leader highlighted the need for legislative interventions to protect vulnerable groups, particularly women, children, and persons with disabilities. He stressed the importance of improved access to healthcare, education, and social protection. The proposed initiative seeks to address emerging threats that cross geographical boundaries and exploit weaknesses in existing systems.
Senator Bamidele concluded that justice must go beyond constitutional provisions and statutory declarations to become accessible and effective for victims of abuse. He emphasized the need for victims to 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.
Key points
- The National Assembly proposes 74 additional legislative seats for women in the Senate and House of Representatives.
- The proposed arrangement includes three additional seats for women in each state House of Assembly, expected to last for 16 years.
- The initiative aims to address the underrepresentation of women in Nigeria's political system and provide them with greater access to legislative representation.
