Women could get 74 additional seats in Nigeria’s National Assembly and three reserved seats in each state House of Assembly if a proposed constitutional amendment by the 10th National Assembly is approved.
The proposal is aimed at increasing women’s political participation, improving gender representation and providing more opportunities for women to contribute to decisions affecting the country.
Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this on Monday during the 2026 Law Week organised by the Ekiti State chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).
The event, held under the theme, “Justice in a Changing World: Responding to New Challenges Affecting Women and Children,” attracted lawmakers, legal practitioners and other stakeholders.
Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District and serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, said the proposal was part of the ongoing constitutional amendment exercise.
He explained that the proposed arrangement would create additional legislative seats specifically for women without affecting the existing seats occupied by elected lawmakers.
According to him, the proposal would provide 37 additional seats in the Senate and another 37 in the House of Representatives, giving each state and the Federal Capital Territory one additional seat in both chambers.
He said a bill seeking to alter the 1999 Constitution to provide special seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly was receiving attention at the National Assembly.
Proposed Arrangement to Last 16 Years
The Senate leader explained that the constitutional amendment proposal followed consultations with relevant stakeholders and was being carefully considered rather than rushed through the legislative process.
He added that the constitutional review committee had also proposed three additional seats reserved for women in each state House of Assembly.
The arrangement, if approved, would operate for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, after which its impact would be comprehensively reviewed.
Bamidele said the proposed 16-year period would provide women with greater opportunities to participate in lawmaking while helping Nigeria develop a more inclusive political system.
“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.
Explaining the proposed arrangement for state legislatures, Bamidele maintained that the additional seats would be reserved for women without removing or replacing any existing elected lawmakers.
“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 stated.
He also disclosed that the National Assembly was engaging state Houses of Assembly because their approval is constitutionally required before the proposed amendment can become law.
Bamidele stressed that the initiative was not designed to favour any political party but to address the underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s political leadership.
He argued that a democratic system that excludes a significant proportion of the population from decision-making cannot fully reflect the interests of the people.
The Senate leader further acknowledged the contributions and advocacy of prominent Nigerians, including First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, in strengthening support for the initiative.
“The special seat initiative is not a partisan endeavour. It is a historic imperative. The rationale is anchored on a simple, yet profound, principle of constitutional law: the foundational precept 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.
Bamidele Calls for Stronger Protection of Women, Children
Beyond political representation, the Senate leader called for stronger legislation and government policies to protect women, children and persons with disabilities.
He said the government must improve access to healthcare, education and social support for vulnerable groups, particularly where traditional institutions and market forces fail to provide adequate protection.
Bamidele also called for stronger laws and institutions to address emerging forms of abuse and threats against women and children.
He maintained that justice should not exist only in the Constitution or legal documents but must be accessible to victims when they need it.
According to him, women experiencing domestic violence should be able to report cases and seek protection without intimidation or fear of public condemnation.
He added that children subjected to abuse must be listened to, protected from further harm and provided with appropriate support.
“Justice must be more than a promise merely expressed in the Constitution or a provision enshrined in our statute books. Rather, it must be accessible, affordable, timely, and effective.
“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.
He called for stronger collaboration among the legislature, executive, judiciary, security agencies, social welfare institutions, religious organisations, traditional rulers, civil society groups and the private sector to improve the protection of vulnerable Nigerians.
Bamidele also urged FIDA to strengthen its engagement with the National Assembly by identifying weaknesses in existing legislation and recommending reforms that would improve the welfare of women and children.
AI, Digital Platforms Creating New Threats – Olarinde
Also speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Professor Smaranda Olarinde, called for stronger legal frameworks to protect women and children from emerging forms of abuse.
Olarinde warned that the growing use of artificial intelligence and digital platforms had created additional threats, including cyberstalking, online harassment, fake images, impersonation and the exploitation of children.
She called for greater cooperation among government agencies, the judiciary, security organisations, universities, religious and traditional institutions, the media and civil society groups to tackle gender-based violence and child abuse.
The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, also spoke at the event, describing Bamidele as an appropriate person to address the issues while emphasising the need for legislative and policy reforms to strengthen the protection of women and children.
In her welcome address, FIDA Chairperson in Ekiti State, Ayobami Olowoyo-Richards, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to protecting the rights of women and children.
She noted that changing social realities had created increasingly complex challenges affecting the safety, dignity and fundamental rights of both groups.
Olowoyo-Richards urged relevant stakeholders to strengthen laws and institutions to ensure that victims of abuse could access justice whenever necessary.
