WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION IN POLITICS AND LEADERSHIP POSITIONS IN NIGERIA

Women are effective change agents, and diversity and gender parity in leadership and decision-making are increasingly acknowledged in all walks of life. Women still make up a very small percentage of those who make decisions in politics, business, and society. Laws, judgements and determinations tend to become more inclusive and representative, incorporating a diverse range of perspectives when women play a meaningful and active role in leadership positions within institutions like the legislature, judiciary and executive boards. When women take on leadership positions in their households, including decisions regarding land and household money, it improves their families' access to education and healthcare. Income inequality is lower in countries where a higher proportion of women hold significant legislative positions. When women are actively involved in the formation and implementation of peace agreements, they have a 35 % greater chance of lasting at least 15 years. It has been shown that when women hold more executive positions, companies see higher profitability. Enterprises in the top quartile for gender diversity on their executive teams outperform the national average by 21 %. Nigerian companies scored better than the global average in the participation of women in the workforce. The average percentage of women at the executive level is 20 per cent which is higher than the global average of 17 per cent. Furthermore, the average percentage of women at the board level is 23 per cent, which is close to the average of 25 per cent globally. Participation of women in politics and leadership positions in Nigeria will be examined in comparison with other African countries, showing the challenges limiting such participation and recommend steps that could be taken to ensure better representation.