New report highlights Nigeria’s gender equity challenges

A new report has revealed the persistent barriers to gender equality in Nigeria, highlighting critical issues such as gender-based violence, economic exclusion, digital disparities, and violations of women’s rights.

The Gender in Nigeria 2025 report, released by Dataphyte, presents a detailed analysis of these challenges and calls for urgent reforms to address them. The report comes at a time when gender-related issues remain at the forefront of public discourse, particularly following the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. She had accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment, a case that many see as emblematic of the deep-rooted struggles women face in Nigerian politics and society.

Dataphyte’s findings are based on various data sources, including the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) of 2023-24, published by the National Population Commission.

According to Adijat Kareem, the organisation’s Head of Policy Research Communications, the study also used data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), including the 2022 Statistics Report on Women and Men in Nigeria and the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2021.

She explained that the report provides a comparative analysis of gender issues in 2018 and 2023, offering insights into how the situation has evolved over the years.

One of the most alarming revelations is the rise in gender-based violence. Reports of rape increased from 29 per cent in 2020 to 65 per cent in 2022. Additionally, nearly half of Nigerian women – 48.2 per cent – believe that wife-beating is justified under certain circumstances.

This reflects entrenched cultural norms that continue to enable violence against women. The report also sheds light on economic inequalities. While 77.1 per cent of women participate in the workforce, 87.9 per cent are engaged in self-employment with limited access to formal wage jobs. This suggests that despite their involvement in economic activities, many women remain in precarious and low-income employment.

Another significant issue is digital exclusion. Only 13.4 per cent of Nigerian women have ever used a computer, compared to 21.8 per cent of men. This digital divide restricts women’s access to education, employment, and business opportunities in an increasingly technology-driven world.

In terms of health and reproductive rights, the report highlights that 71.2 per cent of married women lack autonomy in making sexual and reproductive health decisions. This limits their ability to make informed choices about their own bodies and future.

The issue of child marriage and human trafficking remains a major concern, with 12.5 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15-49 having been married before the age of 15. Additionally, 77.3 per cent of trafficking victims in Nigeria in 2022 were female, exposing the scale of human rights violations against women.

The release of this report also marks a milestone for Dataphyte, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary. The organisation, known for its data-driven journalism and advocacy, has played a key role in promoting transparency and accountability in Nigeria. Over the years, it has helped mainstream the use of data in journalism and public policy, influencing decision-making processes across various sectors.

Reflecting on the progress made, Dataphyte’s founder, Joshua Olufemi, expressed hope that the gender statistics presented in the report would improve over the next five years. He emphasised that with strategic policy reforms and sustained advocacy, gender equity in Nigeria could become a reality rather than a distant goal.

“This report is not just for policymakers” Olufemi said. “It is for civil society, the media, and every Nigerian who wants a future where gender does not determine access to education, economic opportunities, or personal autonomy. Change is possible, even if slow.”

The Gender in Nigeria 2025 report is expected to serve as a key resource for policymakers, development organisations, and activists working to advance gender equality. It aligns with global efforts to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5 on gender equality and Goal 8 on decent work and economic growth.