Paper short abstract:

The foundation for a sustainable world is gender equality. Women representation in leadership positions in higher education in Africa relates to development. Scholars affirm that increase inclusion of women in higher institution's leadership positions will lead to women empowerment and development

Paper long abstract:

This paper aims to discuss the fifth Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG) in relation to achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women. It explores the concept of women's empowerment in relation to leadership especially in the academic world. This paper assesses the gender gap among staff in academic management positions at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. This paper will critically analyse the interaction of women in leadership positions with patriarchy and patriarchal structures in the institution, including how they have been able to strike a patriarchal bargain and how they have rebelled against the patriarchal norms and expectations and investigate the challenges they faced in leadership at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Data on how these women have been able to navigate their path and made successes out of their positions will be gathered through in-depth interview of five (5) female heads of department, two (2) deans, one (1) vice dean, one (1) provost of college and (3) purposively selected male staff. A total number of twelve (12) respondents will be interviewed. The data on strategies of Gender Equity Project to be sourced from the Centre for Gender and Social Policy Studies of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria while the data on members of staff in academic management positions will be collected from the Planning, Monitoring and Budgeting unit of the University. The criteria for selecting this university is because it has the oldest and most effective gender institute with gender equity programmes in Nigeria.