Nigeria’s National Assembly has proposed the creation of 74 additional legislative seats for women in the Senate and House of Representatives, alongside three reserved seats for women in each state House of Assembly, as part of efforts to improve female representation in governance.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele disclosed the proposal on Monday during 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 to discuss reforms aimed at protecting vulnerable groups.
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 formed part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
According to him, the plan would introduce 37 additional seats for women in the Senate and another 37 in the House of Representatives, with each state and the Federal Capital Territory receiving one additional seat in both chambers.
He explained that the proposed arrangement would not displace existing elected representatives but would provide women with dedicated opportunities to participate in legislative decision-making.
The Senate leader also disclosed that three additional seats would be reserved for women in each state House of Assembly. The arrangement is proposed to last for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, before a comprehensive review.
Bamidele described the initiative as a non-partisan constitutional reform designed to address the longstanding underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s political system.
He said the National Assembly had begun consultations with state Houses of Assembly, whose approval is constitutionally required for the amendment to become effective.
The lawmaker added that advocacy from senior government officials, including First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, had strengthened efforts to promote women’s participation in governance.
Beyond political representation, Bamidele called for stronger legislation and institutional support to protect women, children and persons with disabilities, particularly in healthcare, education and social welfare.
He stressed that victims of domestic violence and child abuse should have access to affordable legal assistance, medical care and psychosocial support, while perpetrators should be held accountable under the law.
The Senate leader also urged closer cooperation among government institutions, law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, civil society organisations, religious leaders and traditional rulers to improve protection for vulnerable citizens.
Speaking at the event, Vice-Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Professor Smaranda Olarinde, called for stronger legal safeguards against emerging forms of abuse enabled by technology.
She identified cyberstalking, online harassment, deepfake images, impersonation and the exploitation of children on digital platforms as growing concerns requiring coordinated action.
The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, also highlighted the importance of legislative and policy reforms in strengthening protections for women and children.
FIDA’s Ekiti State Chairperson, Ayobami Olowoyo-Richards, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to defending the rights of women and children, urging stakeholders to ensure that justice remained accessible, effective and responsive to their needs.
The proposed special seats will require the completion of the constitutional amendment process, including the necessary approvals from state legislatures, before implementation.
