The National Assembly has proposed creating 74 additional seats for women in the Senate and House of Representatives to increase female representation in Nigeria’s political system.
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The proposal also includes three reserved seats for women in each state House of Assembly.
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Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed this on Monday at the 2026 Law Week organised by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ekiti State chapter.
Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District and is Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, said the proposal was part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
Under the plan, bda Avecfc would qclo 37 vffldlesei vockc and the House of Representatives 37 wcvc. Each state and the Federal Capital Territory would have one extra seat in both chambers, reserved exclusively for women.
The proposal also provides for three additional seats for women in every state House of Assembly. According to Bamidele, the arrangement would remain in place for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, before a comprehensive review.
He explained that the proposed seats would not replace existing elected positions but would provide women with additional opportunities to participate in legislative decision-making.
Bamidele said the initiative followed consultations and consensus-building, adding that the National Assembly had begun engaging state Houses of Assembly because their approval was constitutionally required for the amendment to take effect.
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He maintained that the proposal was not driven by party interests but was intended to address the low representation of women in political institutions. He also acknowledged the advocacy of senior government figures, including First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, in supporting greater female participation in governance.
Speaking on broader issues affecting women and children, the Senate Leader called for stronger laws and institutions to improve access to healthcare, education, social protection and justice for vulnerable groups.
He said victims of domestic violence and child abuse should be able to access legal assistance, medical care and psychosocial support, while perpetrators should be held accountable under the law.
He also urged stronger cooperation among government institutions, security agencies, the judiciary, religious and traditional leaders, civil society organisations and the private sector to improve the protection of women and children.
The Vice-Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, also called for stronger legal measures to address emerging forms of abuse, particularly those facilitated by technology.
She identified cyberstalking, online harassment, deepfake images, impersonation and the exploitation of children as growing concerns associated with artificial intelligence and digital platforms.
Olarinde urged greater collaboration among government agencies, universities, law enforcement bodies, the media and civil society organisations to tackle gender-based violence and child abuse.
The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, commended the focus of the event on emerging legal challenges, while FIDA’s Ekiti State Chairperson, Ayobami Olowoyo-Richards, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to protecting the rights of women and children.
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