The proposed women’s reserved seats in Nigeria could introduce 182 additional positions across the country’s federal and state legislatures as the National Assembly considers new constitutional reforms aimed at improving female representation in politics.
The proposal seeks to create 74 additional seats in the National Assembly, comprising 37 positions in the Senate and another 37 in the House of Representatives. In addition, each of the 36 states would receive three reserved seats in its House of Assembly, bringing the proposed total to 182 legislative positions.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele announced the development on Monday, November 2, during the 2026 Law Week organised by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ekiti State Chapter.
Bamidele, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, explained that the initiative forms part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process. He said lawmakers were considering special legislative positions that would allow more women to participate directly in political decision-making.
Women’s Reserved Seats in Nigeria to Cover Federal and State Legislatures
Under the proposed arrangement, every state and the Federal Capital Territory would receive one additional seat for women in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
This would create 37 new positions in each federal chamber, giving women dedicated representation from all 36 states and the FCT. The arrangement would also introduce three additional positions in every State House of Assembly, with all the seats reserved exclusively for women.
Consequently, the 36 state assemblies would collectively gain 108 additional legislative positions. When combined with the 74 proposed federal seats, the reform would create 182 new positions across the country’s legislative institutions.
Bamidele explained that the proposed seats would exist alongside the current constituencies and would not remove or replace existing elected representatives. Therefore, the initiative would expand legislative membership rather than redistribute the seats currently occupied by lawmakers.
The proposal also includes a specific period for its implementation. According to the Senate Leader, the special representation arrangement would operate for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, before undergoing a comprehensive review.
He described the proposed time limit as a sunset clause designed to provide an opportunity to assess the initiative’s effectiveness. Furthermore, the review would help determine whether the arrangement had contributed to a more inclusive political system.
Why the National Assembly Is Considering Special Seats for Women
The proposed women’s reserved seats in Nigeria form part of broader efforts to address the limited presence of women in elected political positions.
Although women participate in political activities across the country, their representation in legislative institutions remains relatively low. The proposed constitutional reform seeks to provide additional opportunities for women to enter these institutions and contribute to decisions affecting their communities.
Bamidele said the initiative followed consultations and efforts to build consensus among stakeholders involved in the constitutional review exercise. He also described the proposal as a national reform rather than a partisan political arrangement.
In addition, he acknowledged the advocacy of prominent stakeholders, including First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who has supported efforts to increase women’s participation in governance.
The Senate Leader maintained that representative democracy should provide opportunities for different sections of society to participate in decisions that shape their future.
However, the proposed arrangement does not automatically guarantee that all the additional positions will become available. Lawmakers must first complete the necessary constitutional procedures before the initiative can take effect.
Constitutional Amendment Still Requires State Approval
Despite the proposed expansion, the women’s reserved seats initiative remains under consideration and has not become law.
Bamidele disclosed that the National Assembly had begun engaging State Houses of Assembly to secure the support required for the constitutional amendment. This step is particularly important because Nigeria’s constitution requires approval from at least two-thirds of state legislatures before an alteration can take effect.
The National Assembly must also secure the required legislative majority in both chambers. Consequently, the proposal will need support at both federal and state levels before lawmakers can implement it.
Meanwhile, the proposed 16-year arrangement would give the country four electoral cycles to evaluate the impact of the special seats if the amendment receives approval.
The outcome of the constitutional review process will therefore determine whether the additional positions become part of Nigeria’s legislative structure.
If approved, the reform would expand the number of elected legislative positions available to women and introduce a temporary framework for improving their participation in national and state governance.
