The National Assembly of Nigeria has proposed the creation of 182 additional legislative seats reserved for women across the country's federal and state legislatures as part of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution. This move aims to address the underrepresentation of women in political decision-making processes. The proposal includes 74 additional seats in the National Assembly, with 37 each in the Senate and House of Representatives, and 108 seats across the 36 state Houses of Assembly.
The proposed arrangement suggests that each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory would have one additional seat in each chamber of the National Assembly, specifically reserved for women. This initiative is designed to increase women's representation in legislative institutions without displacing existing elected representatives. The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed the proposal at the 2026 Law Week organised by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ekiti State Chapter.
According to Bamidele, the constitutional amendment would create 37 additional seats in the Senate and another 37 in the House of Representatives. The proposal also includes three additional seats reserved for women in each of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, bringing the total number of additional seats proposed for women in state legislatures to 108. The special-seat arrangement is proposed to run for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, before a comprehensive review.
Bamidele described the proposed 16-year period as a sunset clause intended to provide an opportunity to assess the effectiveness of the initiative and encourage the development of a more inclusive political culture. He added that the committee is already engaging state Houses of Assembly to secure their support, noting that their concurrence is constitutionally required for the proposed amendment to become effective.
The initiative is not intended to advance the interests of any political party but is designed to address the longstanding underrepresentation of women in Nigeria's political institutions. Bamidele maintained that representative democracy requires the inclusion of women in decision-making processes, arguing that a political system that excludes a significant proportion of its population cannot adequately reflect the interests of the people.
The proposed amendment is coming against the background of persistent concerns over the low number of women elected into political offices in Nigeria, particularly the National Assembly and state legislatures. The resolve of the 10th National Assembly to pursue the initiative has been strengthened by advocacy and support from prominent figures, including the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
The National Assembly's proposal has been seen as a step towards addressing the gender imbalance in Nigeria's legislative institutions. If approved, the initiative would provide a platform for more women to participate in decision-making processes and contribute to the country's governance. The implementation of the proposal would depend on the concurrence of state Houses of Assembly and the eventual amendment of the 1999 Constitution.
Key points
- The National Assembly proposes 182 additional legislative seats for women across federal and state legislatures.
- The proposed arrangement includes 74 additional seats in the National Assembly and 108 seats across state Houses of Assembly.
- The initiative aims to address the underrepresentation of women in Nigeria's political institutions and promote a more inclusive political culture.
