Women could gain 74 additional seats in the National Assembly and three reserved seats in each state House of Assembly if a proposed constitutional amendment by the 10th National Assembly is approved.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The proposal is aimed at increasing women’s participation in politics and expanding their opportunities to contribute to decisions affecting the country.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele disclosed this on Monday at the 2026 Law Week organised by the Ekiti State chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).

The event, themed “Justice in a Changing World: Responding to New Challenges Affecting Women and Children,” brought together lawmakers, legal practitioners and other stakeholders.

Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District and is Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, said the proposal was part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process.

He explained that the proposed seats would be reserved exclusively for women and would not affect the existing seats occupied by elected lawmakers.

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 therefore have one extra seat in both chambers.

“A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for special seats for women in the National and state Houses of Assembly and for related matters is receiving our attention at the National Assembly,” Bamidele said.

Proposal To Run For 16 Years

The Senate leader said the proposal followed consultations with relevant stakeholders and was not being hurried through the legislative process.

He disclosed that the constitutional review committee had also recommended three additional seats for women in each state House of Assembly.

The proposed arrangement would remain in place for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, after which its impact would be assessed.

According to Bamidele, the period would provide women with more opportunities to participate in lawmaking while encouraging the development of a political system that promotes fair representation.

“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.

On the state assemblies, he explained that the three proposed seats would be reserved for women without removing or replacing any existing elected member.

“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 added.

Bamidele also revealed that the National Assembly was consulting state Houses of Assembly, whose approval is required before the constitutional amendment can become law.

He maintained that the proposal was not intended to benefit any political party but was designed to address the low representation of women in political leadership.

According to him, a democratic system that excludes a significant proportion of the population from decision-making cannot be considered fully representative.

He added that the advocacy and support of prominent Nigerians, including First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, had reinforced the National Assembly’s commitment to 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.

The Senate leader also advocated stronger legislation and government policies to protect women, children and persons with disabilities.

He called for improved access to healthcare, education and social support for vulnerable groups, particularly in situations where traditional systems and market forces fail to provide adequate protection.

Bamidele said Nigeria needed to strengthen its laws and institutions to tackle emerging forms of abuse and threats against women and children.

He stressed that justice should not exist only in the Constitution or other legal documents but must be accessible to victims when they need it.

He noted that women experiencing domestic violence should be able to report such cases without fear of intimidation or public embarrassment.

Similarly, children who suffer abuse must be protected, listened to and provided with the necessary 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 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 women and children.

Bamidele also urged FIDA to strengthen its engagement with the National Assembly by identifying gaps in existing legislation and recommending reforms that would improve the lives of vulnerable Nigerians.

Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Professor Smaranda Olarinde, called for stronger laws to protect women and children from emerging forms of abuse.

She warned that the increasing use of artificial intelligence and digital platforms had created additional threats, including cyberstalking, online harassment, fake images, impersonation and the exploitation of children.

Olarinde called for greater cooperation among government agencies, the judiciary, security organisations, universities, religious and traditional leaders, the media and civil society groups to address gender-based violence and child abuse.

The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, also described Bamidele as well-positioned to address the issues, 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 defending the rights of women and children.

She noted that changing social realities had created increasingly complex challenges to the safety, dignity and fundamental rights of both groups.

Olowoyo-Richards urged stakeholders to strengthen existing laws and institutions to ensure that victims could obtain justice whenever necessary.