Nigerian women's home-based work is shaped by childcare and social constraints

4 articles · Updated · The Conversation · Apr 30

Using nationally representative 2010-2019 household data, researchers found 90% of working-age Nigerian women are self-employed, with home-based enterprises especially common in northern regions.
The study says young children most strongly influence where women work, while weak property control, limited electricity and restrictive cultural norms push many into low-return businesses run from home.
It argues home-based work often reflects constraint rather than choice, and says cheaper childcare, stronger property and inheritance rights, better credit access and region-specific policies would expand women’s options.

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