Introduction
International Women’s Day (IWD) is not just a celebration; it’s a moment to reflect on how far we have come and how much more needs to be done to achieve real economic and political inclusion for Nigerian women. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, women comprise nearly half of Nigeria’s population, yet in 2023, they held fewer than 10% of elective political offices. These gaps continue to highlight the urgency for real action, not just promises, toward equal participation in governance and economic life.
The theme for IWD 2025, “Economic and Political Inclusion: Walk the Talk, Accelerate Action”, challenges leaders, institutions, and communities to move beyond advocacy and into action. While progress has been made in recent years, deep-rooted barriers still stand in the way of inclusion. One of the most promising tools to drive change is digital learning. When used strategically, it opens doors for Nigerian women to gain the skills, education, and exposure they need to grow economically and politically.
Thanks to mobile technology and growing smartphone access, digital learning is becoming more available across the country. However, for this opportunity to be meaningful, it must reach women across different social classes, including those in rural and underserved communities. This requires more than just tools—it demands commitment from government, business, and civil society.
Ongoing Challenges to Women’s Economic and Political Inclusion in Nigeria
Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, has made some progress in women’s inclusion, but significant gaps remain. Despite accounting for nearly 50% of the population, women are underrepresented in governance, the formal economy, and digital innovation spaces.
Key Barriers to Women’s Inclusion in Nigeria
1. Political Underrepresentation: As of 2023, women’s representation in Nigeria’s National Assembly remains among the lowest globally. Only 2.8% of Senate seats (3 out of 109) and 3.9% of House of Representatives seats (14 out of 358) are held by women. This marks a decline from previous years and reflects deep-rooted challenges such as political gatekeeping, high campaign costs, and patriarchal norms that hinder women’s participation in politics.
2. Economic Disparities: Despite contributing 70–80% of Nigeria’s agricultural labour, women own merely 10% of the land. This limited access to land ownership restricts their ability to secure loans and invest in their enterprises. Consequently, women entrepreneurs earn 66% less profit than their male counterparts, primarily due to lower capital investment and limited access to financial resources.
3. Limited Access to Technology: Digital exclusion significantly affects Nigerian women, especially in rural areas. Only 45% of women nationwide have internet access, with the situation more pronounced in the northern regions, where over 60% of women lack internet connectivity. Factors contributing to this divide include high data costs, digital illiteracy, and cultural restrictions that limit women’s autonomy in accessing digital tools.
4. Cultural and Religious Constraints: Societal norms and religious beliefs often restrict women’s roles to domestic spheres, limiting their participation in leadership and decision-making positions. In many communities, especially in northern Nigeria, cultural practices and religious interpretations discourage women’s involvement in public affairs, reinforcing gender stereotypes and inhibiting their empowerment.
5. Educational Gaps: Education remains a significant barrier to women’s empowerment in Nigeria. More than two-thirds of Nigerian girls drop out before reaching junior secondary school. Additionally, 35% of girls are married by age 15, and 45% become mothers before 18, further limiting their educational and economic opportunities.
These barriers are interconnected, perpetuating a cycle of exclusion that hinders women’s full participation in Nigeria’s socio-economic and political spheres.
Digital Learning as a Path to Economic Inclusion
Digital learning has emerged as a transformative tool for women’s economic empowerment. To close the gender gap, digital learning must be treated as more than an option; it should be a key part of Nigeria’s economic strategy. Online education platforms, mobile training, and virtual mentorship programmes are already helping women build skills, find jobs, and launch businesses. To better understand the impact of digital learning, it’s essential to explore two key questions: How is digital learning supporting economic empowerment for women, and in what ways has it contributed to boosting political inclusion?
How Digital Learning Supports Women’s Economic Empowerment
1. Access to Skills Development: Online courses in ICT, finance, and entrepreneurship equip women with market-relevant skills. A study by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) found that one in three Nigerian women reported positive career or business outcomes after taking online courses, including finding a new job, setting up a business, or improving job performance.
2. Remote Work Opportunities: Digital education enables women to work remotely, increasing employment prospects in Nigeria’s growing tech industry. The World Economic Forum reports that Nigeria’s ICT sector contributed 18.44% to the country’s GDP in 2022, yet women remain underrepresented in this sector.
3. Entrepreneurial Growth: Women-led businesses can leverage digital platforms for marketing, networking, and accessing loans. The same IFC report highlights that 70% of women who joined online learning with the goal of setting up and managing their own business reported achieving their goal.
4. Flexible Learning Opportunities: Self-paced online learning modules benefit women, particularly those balancing family and work responsibilities. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) study notes that women were twice as likely as men to cite family and childcare obligations as their reason for learning online.
5. Better Earning Potential: Upskilled women are more likely to secure jobs that pay fairly, helping narrow the gender pay gap. The final report states that education and digital skills are critical drivers of women’s economic empowerment.
Ways Digital Learning Boosts Women’s Political Inclusion
Economic empowerment often leads to political participation, but it can also work the other way around. Digital platforms help women understand their rights, join discussions, and gain leadership training:
- Civic Education: Women can access online content about elections, voting rights, and the law. A study by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance found that digital platforms have increased women’s participation in civic education in Nigeria.
- Leadership Development: Virtual training programmes teach public speaking, advocacy, and how to run for office. Initiatives like She Code Africa and Grow with Google are instrumental in building leadership skills among Nigerian women.
- Networking and Support: Social platforms connect women to political mentors and movements. Online communities provide spaces for women to share experiences and support each other’s political aspirations.
- Fact-Checking Tools: Digital literacy helps women spot misinformation and engage in smarter debates. Training programmes in digital literacy have been shown to enhance women’s ability to participate in informed political discussions.
- Digital Advocacy: From petitions to social movements, women can organise and speak up on national issues. The rise of digital platforms has facilitated the growth of women’s advocacy groups in Nigeria.
Practical Actions Nigeria Must Take
While digital learning holds immense potential for transforming women’s lives, this potential will remain untapped without intentional and coordinated efforts. Turning promise into progress requires more than advocacy; it demands bold, practical steps from government, private sector leaders, and civil society. To truly empower Nigerian women through digital learning, the following actions are essential:
- Expand Digital Infrastructure: Improve internet access and subsidise digital devices for women in underserved areas.
- Enforce Gender-Inclusive Laws: Create and uphold policies that promote women’s digital education, entrepreneurship, and political participation.
- Encourage Public-Private Partnerships: Tech companies and NGOs should provide scholarships, mentorship programmes, and funding for women-led startups.
- Promote Grassroots Digital Literacy: Train women in rural communities through community centres and mobile outreach.
- Strengthen Political Will: Enforce gender quotas and invest in leadership development for women in politics. Nigeria can learn from countries like Rwanda and Sweden.
- Develop Targeted Digital Training Programmes: Government and private institutions should offer specialised training in digital skills, AI, coding, and financial literacy for women.
- Establish Digital Incubation Hubs: These hubs can provide women with digital tools, mentorship, and resources to start businesses or careers in tech-related fields.
- Encourage Male Allies: Gender inclusion is not just a women’s issue; involving men in advocacy for women’s digital and political empowerment ensures a more holistic approach to achieving equality.
Conclusion
The time for talk is over. If Nigeria truly values inclusion, then digital learning must be scaled to reach all women, regardless of where they live or how much they earn. When women are equipped to grow, communities thrive. Let’s move beyond access and invest in the skills that empower women to lead and succeed. That’s how we build a more equitable and prosperous Nigeria.
Digital platforms like Skillsoft Percipio and pcl. LMS are already helping women build the skills they need to lead. With the proper support, Phillips Consulting can help scale these solutions and bridge the inclusion gap, ensuring women don’t just participate but thrive.
Ready to empower women in your organisation or community through digital learning? Let pcl. help you lead the change. Contact us at enquiry@phillipsconsulting.net.
The time to act is now.
Written by:
Saheed Fatai
Digital Learning