President Bola Tinubu is expected to transmit executive bills to the National Assembly seeking the creation of additional legislative seats for women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday, saying the proposed measures are aimed at expanding representation for groups that have historically had limited presence in Nigeria’s legislatures.
According to Abbas, the proposed women’s representation bill is currently undergoing final adjustments at the Ministry of Justice and could be transmitted to the National Assembly soon.
He added that a separate executive bill providing for dedicated seats for PWDs would also be sent to the legislature within the coming weeks.
The proposed women’s reserved-seat arrangement would create 37 additional seats in both the Senate and House of Representatives, representing each state and the Federal Capital Territory.
At the state level, three additional seats would be created in each of the 36 Houses of Assembly, with one seat allocated to each senatorial district.
The arrangement is proposed to remain in effect for four general election cycles, equivalent to 16 years, after which it would be reviewed.
Abbas said the proposed measures would create additional opportunities for women and PWDs without taking away the existing constituencies contested by other candidates.
A separate proposal, House Bill 1931, is also seeking special representation for physically challenged persons in the National Assembly, state Houses of Assembly and local government legislative councils.
The development comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s relatively low representation of women in elective office. The current 10th National Assembly has four female senators and 16 female members of the House of Representatives.
Speaking at a reception organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations for the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, Prof Justin Green, Abbas described the proposed reforms as part of the innovations being pursued by the 10th National Assembly.
He said the legislature had also maintained a strong working relationship between the Senate and House of Representatives in handling matters of national importance.
Meanwhile, Green commended Abbas and other National Assembly leaders for supporting efforts to improve representation for women and PWDs.
The event was held ahead of the World Public Relations Forum and the 37th African Public Relations Association Conference, scheduled to take place in Abuja from November 15 to 21, 2026.
The organisers said about 3,000 delegates from 126 countries are expected to attend the global public relations gathering at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.
NIPR President, Dr Ike Neliaku, said Nigeria secured the hosting rights in March 2025 but was later required to defend its preparedness during a session in Venice in June 2025.
The Presidency had also assured organisers of its support for the Abuja 2026 forum.
