By Olugbenga Salami
Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, has said that the National Assembly Committee on Review of 1999 Constitution is considering a proposal to create 74 additional seats for women in the legislature.
Bamidele, who is the Vice Chairman of Senate Committee on Constitution Review, disclosed this Monday at the 2026 Law Week organised by International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIFA,, Ekiti State chapter.
He said the committee has also proposed three additional seats in each State House of Assembly, all reserved for women, without displacing existing seats.
The programme, themed “Justice in a Changing World: Responding to New Challenges Affecting Women and Children“ was chaired by Mrs Ayobami Olowoyo-Richards, and attended by the Chairman, House Committee on Information and National Orientation, Hon. Steve Fatoba and Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, among others.
Bamidele said: “A Bill for an Act to alter provisions of Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for special seats for women in National and State Houses of Assembly and for related matters is receiving our attention at National Assembly.”
According to him, the proposal is the fruit of extensive consultation and consensus-building, noting the amendment process was commenced early to ensure deliberate, inclusive and thorough reform.
He explained that the proposal seeks to add 37 seats in the Senate and 37 seats in House of Representatives, meaning each state including FCT will have one additional seat in each chamber.
“This arrangement is proposed to run for a period of 16 years, four electoral cycles, before comprehensive review. This is a sunset clause designed to ensure sustainability and allow organic development of a more inclusive political culture,” Bamidele said.
He said the National Assembly is strategically engaging State Houses of Assembly, as their concurrence is constitutional sine qua non for reform, expressing confidence of two-thirds approval.
Bamidele noted that the special seat initiative is not partisan but a historic imperative, anchored on the principle of representative democracy.
“A democracy that systematically excludes over half of its population from decision-making tables that determine their futures is, at best, flawed democracy and, at worst, veiled oligarchy,” he said.
He said the resolve of the 10th National Assembly was galvanized by advocacy from the highest levels, including First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
“We were mindful that the state must intervene to provide a robust safety net where market and tradition fail. This is translated into legislative support for healthcare, educational access and social protection programmes targeted at vulnerable demographics: women, children and persons with disabilities,” he said.
Bamidele stressed that laws must respond to emerging threats that cut across boundaries and exploit weaknesses in the system, adding justice must be accessible, affordable, timely and effective.
“A woman who suffers domestic violence must be able to seek protection without intimidation. A child who experiences abuse must be heard, protected and provided appropriate support. Victims must have access to legal assistance, medical care and psychosocial services, while perpetrators must be held accountable,” he said.
