The gender gap, or gender inequality, in Nigeria is relatively high compared to peer countries and this leaves us short on a key ingredient to economic success. In educational enrolment rates, girls are less likely to go to school than boys are. Women are less likely to access health services or gain access to financial services. Legal gaps persist in practice and access—although at the national level, laws that grant women and men equal rights do exist.

In the labour market, a 4:3 male to female participation ratio exists (i.e. for every four men, three women participate). Women usually participate more in the informal economy. They are more likely to work in agriculture or in a lower productivity environment. Political and leadership representation of women is lower than for men—less than 6 percent of seats in parliament are held by women and less than every sixth firm has participation and ownership or senior management positions held by women.