Nigeria’s legislature is considering a temporary expansion of its membership to accommodate more female lawmakers, with a proposal that could introduce 182 additional seats reserved exclusively for women across the federal and state legislatures.

The plan, announced by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, provides for 37 new positions in the Senate, another 37 in the House of Representatives and three additional seats in each of the 36 state Houses of Assembly.

If adopted, the arrangement would give every state and the Federal Capital Territory an extra female representative in both chambers of the National Assembly, while each state legislature would accommodate three more women lawmakers.

Bamidele, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, unveiled the proposal on Monday during the 2026 Law Week of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ekiti State chapter.

He explained that the proposed arrangement is part of ongoing efforts to amend the 1999 Constitution and improve women’s access to political leadership without removing or replacing any sitting legislators.

Under the proposed arrangement, the special seats would remain in place for 16 years, equivalent to four electoral cycles, after which lawmakers would conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine whether the intervention should continue.

Bamidele described the initiative as a corrective measure against the longstanding exclusion of women from political decision-making. He said the proposal emerged from consultations and negotiations within the constitutional review process rather than being driven by party interests.

He also disclosed that the National Assembly was engaging state legislatures to secure the constitutionally required approval for the amendment. The concurrence of at least two-thirds of the state Houses of Assembly is necessary before the proposed constitutional changes can take effect.

The Senate Leader acknowledged the contributions of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and other advocates whose campaigns have helped push the issue of women’s political representation into national discussions.

Beyond the proposed legislative changes, Bamidele called for stronger institutional protection for women and children, particularly victims of domestic violence, abuse and exploitation.

He argued that access to justice should involve more than having protective laws on paper, stressing the need for affordable legal representation, medical assistance, psychological support and effective prosecution of offenders.

He also urged FIDA to work more closely with lawmakers in identifying weaknesses in existing legislation and ensuring that government policies and budgetary allocations translate into practical support for vulnerable groups.

At the event, Vice-Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Professor Smaranda Olarinde, drew attention to emerging forms of abuse associated with technology.

She identified cyberstalking, online harassment, digital impersonation, manipulated images and the exploitation of children through online platforms as growing concerns requiring stronger legal safeguards.

Olarinde called for coordinated action involving government institutions, the judiciary, security agencies, universities, traditional and religious leaders, the media and civil society organisations.

The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, also highlighted the importance of legislative and policy interventions in addressing challenges affecting women and children.

Earlier, FIDA’s Ekiti State Chairperson, Ayobami Olowoyo-Richards, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to defending the rights of women and children, calling for stronger laws and institutions capable of responding to changing social realities.

Sources: The PUNCH, Channels Television, TheCable, The Guardian, Vanguard and Radio Nigeria.