Women in Nigeria are a diverse group of individuals who have a wide range of experiences and backgrounds.[4] They are mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, entrepreneurs, professionals, and activists. Women in Nigeria face numerous challenges, including gender inequality, poverty, and a lack of access to education and healthcare.[5] Despite these challenges, Nigerian women are making strides in all areas of life and are becoming increasingly empowered to take control of their lives and their futures.[6]
Nigeria's underdevelopment regarding the status of their women, due to a long history of colonial exploitation and oppression, has brought about a distortion of Nigeria's economic, educational, religious, cultural, social, ideological and social orientations.[7] Nigeria has a long history of gender inequality and discrimination against women. Women in Nigeria face a number of challenges, including limited access to education, health care, and economic opportunities.[8] Women are also disproportionately affected by poverty, violence, and other forms of discrimination. The Nigerian government has taken steps to address these issues, but progress has been slow. Women are still underrepresented in politics and decision-making roles, and they are often excluded from economic opportunities.[9] Additionally, traditional gender roles and cultural norms continue to limit the potential of women in Nigeria.[10] The social role of women in Nigeria varies according to religious,[11] cultural,[12] and geographic factors. However, many Nigerian cultures see women solely as mothers, sisters, daughters and wives.[13][14] For instance, women in Northern Nigeria are more likely to be secluded in the home[15] than women in Southern Nigeria, who tend to participate more in public life.[16] In Southern Nigeria, widows experience different ill-treatment from their in-laws, which include forcing them to drink the remnant water after bathing the dead husband, sleeping on bare floor, wearing black gown, and denying them inheritance from the wealth of their deceased husband.[17] Modern challenges for the women of Nigeria include child marriage,[18]female genital mutilation,[19]rape,[20] and domestic violence.[21]Gender inequality in Nigeria is an ongoing issue, with the state ranking 168th out of 191 countries in the Gender Inequality Index.