Nigeria’s National Assembly has proposed the creation of 74 additional legislative seats reserved exclusively for women as part of ongoing efforts to improve female representation in the country’s political and governance structures.
The proposal was disclosed by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, during the 2026 Law Week organised by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ekiti State Chapter.
Bamidele, who is also Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, explained that the proposed arrangement would introduce 37 additional seats in the Senate and another 37 in the House of Representatives.
Under the proposal, each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory would receive one additional seat in each chamber specifically reserved for women.
The initiative is designed to increase women’s participation in legislative decision-making without removing existing constituencies or displacing serving lawmakers.
The proposal forms part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process being undertaken by the 10th National Assembly.
Three additional seats proposed for state assemblies
Beyond the federal legislature, the Constitution Review Committee has also proposed the creation of three additional seats reserved for women in each of the 36 State Houses of Assembly.
The proposed arrangement would expand opportunities for women to participate in lawmaking and contribute directly to decisions affecting their respective states.
Bamidele explained that the special-seat arrangement would operate for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, before undergoing a comprehensive review.
The proposed time limit is intended to provide an opportunity to assess the effectiveness of the arrangement and determine whether further constitutional adjustments would be necessary.
He described the initiative as the outcome of extensive consultations and consensus-building among relevant stakeholders.
According to him, lawmakers have deliberately started the constitutional amendment process early to allow sufficient time for discussions and legislative consideration.
Addressing women’s underrepresentation in politics
The proposal comes amid longstanding concerns about the low number of women occupying elective political positions in Nigeria.
Although women constitute a substantial proportion of the country’s population, their representation in the National Assembly and state legislatures remains limited.
Supporters of affirmative action argue that several barriers continue to prevent women from participating equally in electoral politics.
These include the high cost of political campaigns, discrimination within political parties, limited access to political financing, gender-based violence and cultural practices that discourage women from seeking elective positions.
The proposed reserved seats are expected to provide additional opportunities for qualified women to participate in governance.
Bamidele argued that a democratic system should provide opportunities for different sections of society to contribute to decisions affecting their lives.
He maintained that the initiative should not be viewed as a partisan political arrangement but as a constitutional reform aimed at strengthening democratic inclusion.
Constitutional approval still required
Despite the proposal, the additional seats will not become operational automatically.
The initiative must pass through the constitutional amendment process, which requires approval by at least two-thirds of members of both chambers of the National Assembly and ratification by at least 24 of the 36 State Houses of Assembly.
Bamidele disclosed that lawmakers had begun engaging their counterparts at the state level to build support for the proposal.
The involvement of state legislatures will therefore be important to determining whether the proposed reform eventually becomes part of Nigeria’s Constitution.
Potential impact on Nigeria’s democracy
If approved, the proposal could significantly increase the number of women participating in legislative activities at both federal and state levels.
Greater female representation could also expand discussions around education, healthcare, economic opportunities, social protection and the protection of women and children.
However, the success of the initiative will depend on the eventual electoral arrangements, transparency in the selection of candidates and the ability of elected representatives to perform their legislative responsibilities independently.
The proposal is also expected to generate further public debate about affirmative action, political inclusion and the structure of representative democracy in Nigeria.
For now, the National Assembly’s proposal represents an important step in the ongoing discussion about improving women’s participation in Nigerian politics.
Its eventual implementation will depend on legislative approval, state-level support and the final constitutional provisions adopted by lawmakers.
