Women in the Nigerian Economy: A Case Study of Niger and Plateau States

Abstract

Nigeria has continued to be characterized by a low level of growth and development despite the huge natural and human resources at her disposal because of her inability to bring these resources together for optimal utilization. Women who form a large percentage of Nigerian human resource have over the years contributed immensely to the developmental process of the country as mothers, wives, housekeepers and community mobilisers in addition to their participation in the economic activities of the country. Women make up the bulk of the labour force in agriculture which is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy. They also constitute the majority in the informal sector where they provide jobs to a large segment of the society in addition to providing services themselves to the Nigerian populace. Yet, their contributions are not recognized or appreciated by both the government and the people of Nigeria. This failure of the government and the people to acknowledge women contribution as well as recognize the unfavourable condition within which the women exist and perform their various activities have seriously militated against the optimal contribution by women to the economy of the country. This study was based on library research, direct interviews and the completion of questionnaires administered to a cross section of women in Niger and Plateau States in order to find out their contribution to the economy. The results of the research revealed the following: a. That women are involved in various aspects of the Nigerian economy. b. That they constitute the bulk of the labour force in agriculture. c. That they are poorly represented in the two states formal sectors. d. That they participate fully in the upkeep of their families. e. That negative socio-cultural practices, political instability, scarce financial resources, low level of education and poor infrastructure has constituted serious obstacles to women's optimal contribution to the national economy. The study also profaned the strategies for improving women's participation in the economy to include the following: (a) The Government should direct the banks to reduce their lending interest rates to enable women access loan, (b) Women should be enlightened on the benefits derivable from belonging to cooperative societies. Government to give soft loans to women with which to generate their own funds for further developments, (c) That requests by banks for collateral as a requirement for accessing loan to women be reviewed, (d) Intensive mobilization of women to effectively participate in all economic spheres through workshops and enlightenment programmes be organized by the government through the Ministry of Women Affairs at Federal and State levels, (e) Policies that are beneficial to women should not only be put in place but should be executed.