By George Omagbemi
Nigeria’s National Assembly is proposing 74 additional legislative seats for women as part of a constitutional reform aimed at addressing the persistent underrepresentation of women in political leadership.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele disclosed the proposal on Monday at the 2026 Law Week organised by the International Federation of Women Lawyers in Ekiti State.
According to reports by Punch Newspapers and BusinessDay, the plan would create 37 additional seats in the Senate and 37 in the House of Representatives. Each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory would receive one additional seat in each chamber, reserved exclusively for women.
The proposal also recommends three additional seats for women in each of the 36 State Houses of Assembly.
Why the Proposal Matters. Supporters say the initiative would address barriers limiting women’s participation in politics, including difficulties accessing campaign funding, party nomination processes and cultural stereotypes.
The proposed seats would be additional to existing constituencies, meaning current lawmakers would not be displaced.
Bamidele said the arrangement would operate for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, before a comprehensive review.
However, the proposal is not yet law. It must pass through the constitutional amendment process, including approval by the required majority in both chambers of the National Assembly and at least two-thirds of state Houses of Assembly.
If approved, the reform could expand women’s representation in Nigeria’s legislatures.
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