Nigeria's Gender Equity in Leadership: A Report Analysis

A report indicates that women-driven sectors in Nigeria, particularly the beauty and fashion industries, rank low on the gender equity scale, achieving a score of 46 points, just 13 points above the lowest-ranked childcare sector, which scored 33. In contrast, banking and finance scored the highest at 73 points, followed by education at 72 and pharmaceutical and medical research at 70.

The report, part of the 2025-2026 Reykjavik Index for Leadership, highlights that 89% of Nigerians are comfortable with women serving as CEOs, and 77% support women heading government roles. Notably, the overall perception of women's leadership capabilities has improved, with Nigeria's index score rising to 59 out of 100, a two-point increase from 57 in 2024, although it remains below the G7 average of 68.

The report emphasizes that structural barriers still limit women's representation in leadership roles, with women occupying only 12 CEO positions and 4 national assembly seats.