Nigeria's House of Representatives is set to vote on a special seats bill and other constitutional amendments after its current recess.
The recess began in late July 2025, and the House is expected to reconvene in September 2025.
The "Special Seats Bill" is a constitutional alteration bill aimed at addressing the low representation of women in Nigeria's legislature. Currently, women hold less than 5% of the seats in the National Assembly.
The bill, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, proposes creating additional, reserved seats for women in both the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.
Key details of the bill include:
1. A temporary measure: The special seats would be in effect for a limited period, likely four election cycles (about 16 years), to help women gain political experience and increase their presence.
2. Constitutional amendment: For the bill to pass, it requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, as well as approval from at least 24 of Nigeria's 36 state legislatures.
Previous attempt: A similar bill was voted against by legislators in 2022 during the 9th National Assembly.
In addition to the women's seats bill, other constitutional amendment proposals are also being considered, including one to create reserved seats for people with disabilities.