The National Assembly Constitution Review Committee has put forward a legislative framework to introduce 74 specialized seats for women across the Senate and the House of Representatives. This reform aims to tackle the chronic underrepresentation of women in governance structures across the country.
Speaking at the 2026 Law Week hosted by the Ekiti State Chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers on Monday, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele revealed details of the ongoing constitutional amendment process. He noted that the initiative seeks to allocate an additional 37 seats in the upper chamber and another 37 in the lower chamber, ensuring every federation state and the Federal Capital Territory gains one extra slot in both houses.
What are the specific parameters of the proposed reform?
According to Mr Bamidele, who speaks as the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, the framework also earmarks three distinct seats exclusively for women in every State House of Assembly. Crucially, these new slots will be integrated without removing any current electoral positions.
Key elements of the legislative proposal include:
- The addition of 37 Senate seats and 37 House of Representatives seats, scaling up total federal representation.
- The creation of three female-exclusive seats in each of the 36 State Houses of Assembly.
- A 16-year sunset clause spanning four electoral cycles before a full review takes place.
- Active consultations between federal legislators and state assemblies to secure the necessary constitutional concurrence.
Addressing the audience in Ekiti State, Mr Bamidele emphasized that the special seats initiative transcends partisan politics. He stated that governance systems that systematically lock out a significant portion of the populace fail to uphold foundational democratic ideals. Furthermore, he linked broader legislative support to critical social safety nets, noting that vulnerable groups require stronger protections against domestic abuse and socioeconomic vulnerability.
How do stakeholders view the affirmative action proposal?
Proponents of the constitutional amendment argue that reserved seats offer a necessary counterweight to structural impediments such as exorbitant campaign costs, biased party nomination procedures, and gender discrimination. Conversely, critics frequently debate whether affirmative action mechanisms might disrupt equal representation principles or create distinct legislative classes.
If successfully passed and ratified by state legislatures, the reform could substantially alter the composition of Nigerian parliamentary bodies, marking a major milestone for inclusive governance.