The National Assembly has proposed creating 74 additional legislative seats for women in the Senate and House of Representatives, alongside three reserved seats in each of the 36 state Houses of Assembly, as part of ongoing efforts to improve women’s representation in Nigeria’s political system.

Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this on Monday at the 2026 Law Week organised by the International Federation of Women Lawyers, Ekiti State Chapter.

Bamidele, who is also 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 special seats would be created without displacing existing elected representatives.

Under the proposal, 37 additional seats would be created in the Senate and another 37 in the House of Representatives. This would give each state and the Federal Capital Territory one additional seat for women in each chamber.

The Senate Leader also disclosed that the committee had proposed three additional seats reserved for women in each state House of Assembly. The arrangement is expected to remain in place for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, after which it would undergo a comprehensive review.

He described the proposed arrangement as a temporary measure designed to promote women’s participation in politics while allowing time to assess its impact on the country’s political system.

According to Bamidele, the proposal followed extensive consultations and consensus-building, adding that the National Assembly had started the constitutional review process early to ensure a thorough and inclusive exercise.

He said the initiative was not driven by party interests but was intended to address the longstanding underrepresentation of women in political decision-making.

Bamidele also acknowledged the advocacy of prominent government figures, including First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in strengthening support for the special seats proposal.

However, the proposal is still part of the constitutional amendment process and requires the concurrence of the State Houses of Assembly before it can be implemented.

Beyond political representation, Bamidele called for stronger legislative measures to protect women, children and persons with disabilities, particularly through improved access to healthcare, education and social protection.

He said government intervention was necessary to provide support for vulnerable groups where existing social and economic structures failed to meet their needs.

On the protection of women and children, the Senate Leader stressed the need for laws and justice systems that respond effectively to domestic violence, child abuse and other forms of exploitation.

He maintained that victims should be able to access legal assistance, medical care and psychosocial support without intimidation or social condemnation, while perpetrators should be held accountable in accordance with due process and the rule of law.