Paper short abstract:

This study was an examination of gender and leadership challenges in Nigeria. The findings revealed that restrictive religious practices in various professions and marital obstruction were among the challenges confronting women in getting to the leadership post in Nigeria.

Paper long abstract:

This study was an examination of gender and leadership challenges in Nigeria. Descriptive design of survey type was used. A total of 600 staff of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State were randomly selected using simple random sampling technique. Researchers developed questionnaire using 'Gender and Leadership Challenges Questionnaire' with reliability coefficient of 0.88 for data collected. Mean, standard deviation and bar-chart were used for analysing and presenting the research questions. The findings revealed that restrictive religious practices, patriarchal settings in society, sexual harassments, maternal mortality, poor access to education and scholarship facilities in various professions and marital obstruction were among the challenges confronting women in getting to the leadership post in Nigeria. It was also indicated that women in leadership post to certain extent can reduce extreme poverty and economic empowerment of women, eliminating employment discriminatory practices against women and addressing labour issues affecting women, empowerment of women in organization, greater enrolment of girls into educational institutions and inspiration for women who occupied and are occupying positions of authority. The study recommends among other things that in order to have women participated in leadership and politics, gender equality initiatives should be implemented at all levels of governance both in private and public organization. Government needs to work towards changing the political structures which produce gender inequalities. Achieving the goal of equal participation of women and men in decision-making positions will provide a balance which more accurately reflects the composition of society, interests and the general good of all citizens.