Constitution Review May Create 49 New Legislative Seats for Women

By Our Correspondent

Strong indications have emerged that ongoing constitutional amendment efforts aimed at promoting women’s inclusion in governance could increase the number of seats in the Senate from 109 to 121 and the House of Representatives from 360 to 397 by the 11th National Assembly in 2027.

Under the proposal, 12 additional Senate seats and 37 House of Representatives seats would be reserved exclusively for women. The lawmakers occupying these seats would emerge through electoral colleges based on a collegiate system across the six geo-political zones, the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, rather than through the general election.
The campaign for the proposed amendment gathered momentum during a zonal caucus meeting organised by the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) in collaboration with sponsors of the Special Seats for Women in Parliament bills. One of the sponsors, Hon. Iduma Igariwey Enwo, said the leadership of both chambers of the National Assembly is favourably disposed to the proposal but stressed that sustained lobbying remains necessary to secure its passage. He noted that many members of the House strongly support greater women’s participation in governance and believe the special seats will create opportunities for women to gain legislative experience before contesting through the general electoral process.
Igariwey further assured participants that many federal lawmakers, including the leadership of both chambers, are prepared to support the bill. However, he emphasised that advocates must intensify engagement with members of the various State Houses of Assembly, whose approval is required for constitutional amendments. According to the draft bill, the proposed 12 Senate seats and 37 House seats would be filled through electoral colleges rather than direct elections.
The Executive Director of the African Parliamentary Resource Centre (APRC), John Ebikeseye, explained that the additional Senate seats would be shared equally among the six geo-political zones, with two seats per zone, while the House of Representatives would receive one additional seat each for the 36 states and the FCT. He said the electoral college for the Senate seats would comprise elected local government councillors, executive chairmen and vice-chairmen within each senatorial district, while a similar arrangement would apply for House of Representatives seats within the affected federal constituencies. Ebikeseye added that the special seats would be implemented for four electoral cycles—2027, 2031, 2035 and 2039—to strengthen women’s inclusion in governance. Earlier, NILOWV National President, Ms. Irene Ikyegh, said the advocacy is not aimed at taking seats from men but at creating additional opportunities for women to achieve broader representation in governance.