Women’s Parliamentary Representation in Nigeria: Evidence from the 2023 Elections

Nife Ogunbodede; Tope Shola Akinyetun

doi:10.36881/ma.v4i2.1161

Authors

Nife Ogunbodede Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of Delaware https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3128-0615
Tope Shola Akinyetun Department of Political Science, Lagos State University of Education https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1906-3410

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36881/ma.v4i2.1161

Keywords:

gender equality, National Assembly, political participation, women’s representation

Abstract

This study examines the representation of women in the Nigerian Parliament, focusing on the 2023 general elections. Despite global strides toward gender parity, Nigeria continues to face a critical deficit in female legislative representation, consistently ranking among the lowest worldwide. The 2023 elections yielded particularly disheartening results, with women securing only 15 out of 469 seats in the National Assembly. Utilizing a qualitative approach grounded in the supply and demand model of candidate selection, this research explores the complex interplay between a diminished "supply" of female aspirants and a low "demand" for women MPs within Nigeria’s deeply patriarchal society. The study identifies sociocultural, structural, institutional, and political barriers as the primary drivers of this disparity. Finally, it assesses the broader implications of this underrepresentation and proposes strategic interventions, including legislative quotas, enhanced financial support, tailored leadership training, and strengthened networking among women’s advocacy groups.

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References

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