Legislative Journey
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First Reading8 May 2024
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Second Reading9 Jul 2024
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Committee ReportNot yet reachedConstitutional Review
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Third ReadingNot yet reached
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Current StatusAwaiting Cmtt Report
The road to Reserved Seats for Women: previous attempts
Proposals to reserve seats for women in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly were rejected by both chambers in the 2022 constitution review. The 10th Assembly's version (HB1349) passed second reading in July 2024 and has been listed for a floor vote, but neither chamber had voted on it as of September 2026, and it was not among the bills sent to the states.
2 related proposals Current: HB1349, reached 2nd reading, then committee
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1 Mar 2022House rejects special seats for womenIn the 2022 constitution review vote, 81 members voted for and 208 against; 240 were needed. Source
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1 Mar 2022Senate rejects special seats for women30 senators voted for and 58 against; at least 73 were needed. Source
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8 Mar 2022House revisits three gender bills, but not special seatsOn International Women's Day the House rescinded its vote on three gender bills; the special seats bill was not among them. Source
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8 May 2024 · House of RepsHB1349 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) Reserved Seats for Women Bill, 2024 Reached 2nd reading, then committee This billSponsor: BENJAMIN OKEZIE KALU. Co-sponsored with other members. Referred to the Constitution Review Committee after second reading; includes a 16-year sunset and review clause.
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26 Nov 2024 · House of RepsHB1931 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) (Special Seats for the Physically Challenged Persons) Bill, 2024 Reached 2nd reading, then committee Related proposalSponsor: TAJUDEEN ABBAS. Special seats for persons with disabilities.
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4 Jul 2025Senate zonal public hearings on constitution reviewHearings in six zonal centres; additional seats for women were on the agenda. Source
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2nd reading 24 Jul 2025 · House of RepsHB1383 Provide for specific seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly Reached 2nd reading, then committee Related proposalSponsor: OGBARA ADETOLA KAFILAT. Parallel House bill on specific seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly.
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4 Dec 2025House defers the constitution review reportThe House unanimously deferred consideration of the whole report for more consultation. Source
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5 Mar 2026Women's Caucus launched as a vote nearsNational Assembly leaders inaugurated a Women's Caucus ahead of an expected constitution amendment vote. Source
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10 Jun 2026Revised proposal publishedLatest text: 12 Senate seats (two per zone), one House seat per state and the FCT, and one State Assembly seat per senatorial district, filled through an INEC-run electoral college. Source
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11 Jun 2026House voting day: bill not reachedThe bill was on the final list for voting but was not called; consideration was pushed back. Source
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16 Sep 2026Not among bills sent to the statesOnly the State Police bill was transmitted to the 36 State Houses of Assembly; other alteration bills still await National Assembly votes. Source
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20 Sep 2026Still awaiting a voteNeither chamber had voted on the bill; debate revived as 123 women entered the 2027 Senate race. Source
Stages come from LIP's record of each bill's readings. Only bills whose titles identify the subject are listed; some constitution bills are recorded only as "(Alteration) Bill", so earlier attempts may be missing.
Summary & Analysis
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) Bill, 2024 seeks to amend several sections of the 1999 Constitution to enhance women's representation in legislative houses. It proposes additional seats in the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly specifically for women. It also provides for the establishment of special constituencies from which only women can be elected.