What is the Reserved Seats Bill?
This proposed bill is also known as House Bill 1349. It seeks to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) to establish reserved seats for women in both the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly. It aims to address the underrepresentation of women in legislative bodies by creating special constituencies exclusively contested by women. This provision would be a temporary measure to promote women’s political involvement, with a review after four general election cycles (16 years) to determine its future. Currently, the Senate consists of 109 Senators, three from each state and one from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The bill proposes one additional Senator for each state and the FCT, with each woman contesting this Reserved Seat for Women representing her entire state. The House of Representatives comprises 360 members. This bill proposes one additional female member for each state and the FCT, with each woman contesting the Reserved Seat for Women representing her entire state. In each State House of Assembly, one additional female member will be elected from each of the three senatorial districts, resulting in three female members per state, each representing their respective senatorial district.
How Does the Bill Work in the Senate?
Currently, the Senate consists of 109 Senators—three from each state and one from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The bill proposes one additional Senator for each state and the FCT, with each woman contesting this Reserved Seat for Women representing her entire state.
How Does the Bill Work in the House of Representatives?
The House of Representatives comprises 360 members. This bill proposes one additional female member for each state and the FCT, with each woman contesting the Reserved Seat for Women representing her entire state.
How Does the Bill Work in the State Houses of Assembly?
In each State House of Assembly, one additional female member will be elected from each of the three senatorial districts, resulting in three female members per state, each representing their respective senatorial district.
Does the Bill not discriminate against men?
No. The bill does not discriminate against men. The bill is designed to temporarily address the historic exclusion of women in law-making.
How does the bill try to address the issues of the non-discriminatory clause of the Nigerian constitution?
The bill explicitly defines the reservation as temporary, which protects it from being classified as discriminatory under Section 42 (Right to freedom from discrimination). There is no conflict with existing human rights or federal character provisions under the Constitution.
Creating new seats in the National Assembly would require changing the National Assembly Act. Do you think it is something that should be done?
Yes. It should be done. The bill offers a temporary corrective mechanism (affirmative action) to help bridge a historic gap and offer women an opportunity to participate and get involved.
Given that Nigerians are calling for a reduction in the National Assembly budget, won’t the new seats add more to the budget?
No, it will not. The Policy Advocacy Center (PLAC) has carried out a budget review and it was discovered that the new seats will a one percent (1%) significant effect on the National Assembly budget.
If the bill is passed and assented to, how do we ensure the zoning arrangements in the states are followed to ensure that each zone gets equal representation?
The bill has an accompanying act/regulatory guideline for INEC on how constituencies will be carved and elections conducted to ensure equal and to ensure equal representation of each zone in the states.
How can we ensure the elites and career politicians do not hijack the seats and prevent equal representation of women if the bill is passed?
The bill has provisions for periodic reviews and this is to ensure that the seats are not hijacked and it serves it purpose for women of all age and social class.
What is the potential benefit of this bill to the Nigerian National Assembly?
The Nigeria National Assembly is a beacon of global democracy and inclusive governance. Passing this bill sets the National Assembly top among global counterparts and re-emphasizes Nigeria’s commitment to global standards on gender equality and equity.
This FAQs is developed to bring further clarity to young women, girls and marginalised groups to increase the understanding of parliamentarian policy and promote positive perceptions about women in leadership.
The Reserved Seats Bill is set to have a National Hearing in September, 2025 with a voting on the floor of the House of Representatives in October 2025.
Compiled by HEIR Women Hub for the Reserved Seats Bill Advocacy, 2025
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