The National Assembly Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution has proposed creating 74 additional seats for women in the Senate and House of Representatives as part of efforts to improve women’s representation in Nigerian politics.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele disclosed the proposal on Monday, November 2, at the 2026 Law Week organised by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in Ekiti State.
According to “Channels Television” the proposal would create 37 additional seats in the Senate and another 37 in the House of Representatives, without removing any existing seats.
Proposal includes state assemblies
Bamidele, who is also Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, said the proposal also includes three additional seats reserved for women in each State House of Assembly.
At the National Assembly level, each state and the Federal Capital Territory would receive one additional seat in both the Senate and the House of Representatives if the proposal is approved.
The arrangement is proposed to run for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, before a comprehensive review.
Bamidele described the proposed special seats as a temporary measure intended to improve women’s participation in legislative decision-making and encourage a more inclusive political system.
Constitutional approval still required
The Senate Leader said the proposal forms part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process and is receiving attention from lawmakers.
He added that the committee was engaging with state Houses of Assembly because their approval is constitutionally required for the proposed amendment to take effect.
The proposal has not yet become law. It must pass through the constitutional amendment process, including the required legislative approvals at federal and state levels.
If adopted, the measure would create additional legislative positions specifically reserved for women rather than requiring them to compete for existing seats.
