Nigerian National Assembly Proposes 74 New Legislative Seats for Women

The National Assembly of Nigeria is currently evaluating a significant constitutional amendment proposal aimed at increasing female representation in the country’s legislative bodies. According to Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Leader of the Senate and Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, the initiative seeks to create 74 additional seats specifically for women.

Details of the Legislative Proposal

Senator Bamidele disclosed the details during the 2026 Law Week organized by the Ekiti State Chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA). The proposed reform includes the addition of 37 seats in the Senate and 37 in the House of Representatives. Under this plan, each state of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, would be allocated one additional seat in each chamber of the National Assembly.

Beyond the federal level, the committee has proposed the creation of three additional seats in each State House of Assembly. According to Bamidele, these seats would be reserved exclusively for women and would be added without displacing any existing electoral seats.

Sustainability and Implementation

The proposal incorporates a “sunset clause,” meaning the special seats are intended to remain in place for a period of 16 years, covering four electoral cycles. Bamidele stated that this timeframe is designed to allow for the organic development of a more inclusive political culture before a comprehensive review is conducted.

The senator emphasized that the legislative process is not being rushed. He noted that the initiative is the product of extensive consultation and consensus-building, adding that the National Assembly is currently engaging with State Houses of Assembly to secure the necessary concurrence required for constitutional amendments.

Rationale for the Reform

Bamidele described the initiative as a “historic imperative” rather than a partisan effort. He argued that a democracy that excludes a significant portion of its population from decision-making processes is inherently flawed. The senator also highlighted the influence of advocacy from high-level government figures, including First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in pushing for these reforms.

In his address, Bamidele also touched upon the broader theme of the FIDA event, “Justice in a Changing World.” He called for legal frameworks that are more responsive to the needs of women and children, particularly regarding domestic violence and abuse. He stressed that justice must be accessible and effective, ensuring that victims have support while perpetrators are held accountable through due process.

Conclusion

While the proposal marks a notable step toward gender parity in Nigerian governance, the ultimate success of the initiative depends on the legislative review process and the cooperation of state-level lawmakers. As of now, the bill remains under consideration by the National Assembly, with no specific timeline provided for its final passage.

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p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Channels Television

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