Bamidele also revealed that the Constitution Review Committee had proposed three additional reserved seats for women in each state House of Assembly. He clarified that the proposed positions would be created in addition to existing legislative seats rather than replacing them.
The Senate Leader made the disclosure on Monday, November 2, while speaking at the 2026 Law Week organised by the Ekiti State chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).
The event, chaired by Ayobami Olowoyo-Richards, was held under the theme, “Justice in a Changing World: Responding to New Challenges Affecting Women and Children”.
Bamidele, who serves as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, said the proposal was designed to increase women’s representation and participation in Nigeria’s political and governance structures.
He disclosed that a bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide special seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly was receiving attention at the National Assembly.
According to him, the proposed arrangement would remain in place for 16 years, covering four electoral cycles, after which it would undergo a comprehensive review.
“This arrangement is proposed to run for a period of 16 years, four electoral cycles, before a comprehensive review. This is a sunset clause designed to ensure sustainability and to allow for the organic development of a more inclusive political culture,” he said.
The Senate Leader further disclosed that the National Assembly was engaging state legislatures to secure the necessary approval for the proposed constitutional amendment.
Describing the initiative as a national reform rather than a partisan political project, Bamidele argued that the continued exclusion of women from decision-making positions undermined the principles of representative democracy.
“A democracy that systematically excludes over half of its population from the decision-making tables that determine their futures is, at best, a flawed democracy and, at worst, a veiled oligarchy,” he stated.
He also acknowledged the contributions of prominent government figures, including First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, whose advocacy, he said, had reinforced the 10th National Assembly’s commitment to improving women’s political representation.
Beyond the reserved-seat proposal, Bamidele said lawmakers were also considering legislative measures aimed at improving the welfare of women, children and persons with disabilities, particularly in healthcare, education and social protection.
The proposed reserved seats remain under consideration as part of the ongoing review of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.
