Women Occupy Only 33% of Formal Employment in Nigeria – New Report Reveals

A new report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed that women hold just 33% of formal sector jobs in Nigeria, highlighting persistent gender disparities in the country’s labor market.

**Key Findings from the Report:**
– Women represent only 1 in 3 formal sector workers
– Gender gap widens at senior management levels (22% female representation)
– Best-performing sectors for female employment:
• Education (41%)
• Healthcare (38%)
• Financial services (35%)
– Worst-performing sectors:
• Construction (11%)
• Transportation (9%)
• Engineering (14%)

**Root Causes Identified:**
1. Cultural biases in male-dominated industries
2. Limited access to STEM education for girls
3. Workplace discrimination and glass ceilings
4. Lack of family-friendly workplace policies

The report comes as Nigeria implements the National Development Plan 2021-2025, which specifically targets 40% female labor force participation by 2025. Currently, Nigeria ranks 139th out of 146 countries in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index.

**Positive Developments Noted:**
– 18% increase in female entrepreneurship since 2020
– Growing female representation in tech startups (31%)
– More women in junior management roles (37%)

Experts recommend urgent interventions including stronger enforcement of gender policies, targeted STEM programs for girls, and incentives for companies promoting gender-balanced hiring.

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has pledged to address these disparities through new initiatives, stating: “We’re working with private sector partners to create 500,000 new jobs for women by 2026.”

As Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria’s full potential remains untapped without greater female participation in formal employment. The report serves as both a wake-up call and roadmap for achieving gender parity in the workplace.