1.1 Background to the Study
Since independence, women’s participation in politics and decision making in Nigeria have been a controversial issue. The 1st
republic had only four female legislators in the whole country, a negligible number that cannot give women the necessary influence in politics. In that era the contribution of women in nation buil8ding could only be imagined and not felt. The impossible of military rule, an era that followed this period form 1966 did not foster women participation in politics and very little was heard of women in politics and decision making (Samuel and Segun, 2012:7). The participation of women in nation building increased in the 2nd
and most particularly 3rd
republic. Few women emerged as councilors, one woman, chief (Mrs.) Titilayo Ajanaku, as chairperson of Abeokuta local Government council in Ogun State, two female Deputy Governors, Achaja Sinatu Ojukwu and Mrs Cecilia Ekpenyong in Lagos and Cross River State respectively. Furthermore, only one woman was elected to the Senate and very few others to the house of representatives. It is worthy of note that before 1999, the proportion of seat occupied poor for federal Executive council (Lula, 2012). But these women proved they deserve more opportunities with their stellar performances.The year 1999 marked the beginning of a new dawn as Nigeria returned to civilian government after the devise of military rule women political participation witnessed sharp improvement over previous experience. President Obasanjo who assumed power on may 29th
1999 made a clear departure from the past and appointed few women as senior ministers and junior ministers. Furthermore, he appointed 2 women advisors and 2 senior special assistants and 6 special assistants and 1 special assistant to the vice president as well as 8 permanent secretaries (Luka. 2-012:29). Women were also appointed as commissioners and were members of the executive council in all the state (Kalawole et al, 2012:135). It should be noted that while the number of women in political positions drastically increased between 1998 and 2011, the position were mostly appointive rather than elective. From 1999 to 2011,no woman was elected into the office of the president or governor in any of the 36 states. However, in 1999, out of the total seats of 469 (senate and House of Representatives), there were only 15 women representing 3.19%; this increased to 25 in 2003 representing 5.33%; there was a further increase in 2007 34 representing 7.03%. although between 2003 and 2007, 4 to 6 women were elected as deputy governor. In spite of these improvements, the representation of women in politics and decision making in Nigeria is still a far cry from the global bench mark of 35% affirmative action. It is against this background that this paper examines “Women in politics and decision making in Nigeria: challenges and prospects”.In Nigeria and the rest of the World, women have over time proven to be valuable assets and contributors to nations building.
In Nigeria, women have shown bright potential in politics and public leadership both in democratically elected positions and political appointment. These potentials are also present in their various philanthropic efforts and even in different organizations.
A lot of calls have been made from various quarters for Nigeria women to be given more opportunity to contribute their unique input to nation building as the few whom have received such rare opportunity have excelled beyond expectations.
In Nigeria today, almost half of the women outside the home both in family and informal sectors for pay to augment the family resources while some women particularly the rural women in the farms/agricultural production, many others in the cities work in the public and private sectors including government, commercial/trading, industrial, financial and service sectors of the economy, thereby contributing substantially to national development (Falusi, 2001).
The role of men and women both play in the family are nation building are complementary and co-terminus and they should not be seen as inferior or subservient to the other. This argument could be faulted in the agrarian age when male dominance was largely dependent on their physical abilities that allows them to lift heavy objects and equipments, a feat that chides ferminty but not in this knowledge driven generation where intelligence and initiative reign supreme.
With increased focus and sensitization on women empowerment, women (especially Nigerian) have played key roles in building the Nigerian State. Since the inclusion off more women in key sectors of the Nigerian economy, such as the appointment of late Prof. Dora Akunyili as D.G of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) who saved millions of lives and ended the era of impurity in the manufacture, sales and distribution of food and drug products in Nigeria and also went further to set a pace in the information ministry as the minister of information and national orientation, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala (co-ordinator minister of the economy) whose appointment as the Nigerian Economy in Africa; a feat the nation has not achieved in the last three decades, Diezam Alherson Madueke (Minister of Petroleum resources) she initiated the fight against the Cabal that are running the downstream sector to abyss, a battle which seems to elude her but he bravely has informed the Nigerian People of the activities of these cabals and has set the pace for the fight against corruption in the Oil sector. Princess Stella Odua (former Aviation Minister and presenting senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District), Hon. Mrs. Uche Ekwunife (Senator; Anambra Central Senatorial District) and a host of other Nigerian Women, thy have managed to achieve giant strides in areas where their male counterparts have failed to farewell and these qualitative contributions of women/women nature in nation building is a n area this research work will seek to explore. More opportunities should be allowed women by the Nigerian government at all levels in order to further enhance their role and unlock their potentials in nation building. In order to appreciate the role of women in nation building, a statement by a former American Secretary f state, Hilary Clinton is most instructive: “what we are learning around the world is that of women are healthy and educated, their families will flourish. If women are free from violence, their families will flourish. If women have a chance to work and earn as full and equal partners in the society, their families will flourish, and when families flourish, communities and nations will flourish”
Although, there is no legal and constitutional constraint that women are suffering from, the marginalization rather emanates from the cultural orientation that subordinates women to men. It is known that no man wants to work under a woman and men altogether do not enjoy iving women higher authority than their male counterparts. The call for women engagement in nation building is not for a proportionate representation but for a for share; say 40% opportunity for women to participate in key sectors that will enable them contribute to nation building.
Globally, nations as Brazil, South Korea, Malawn, Argentina, Korova and Liberia are being led by Dima yourself, Geun-hye park, Joyce Benda, Cristina Fermadez, Atifete, Jahaya Sirleaf respectively as presidents.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
A few well deny that one of the richest under—utilized resources in the world today is the talent of women. Unfortunately the world has for many years squandered this talent in a most shameful fashion. According to Kayode (2015) statistics has it that over half of the Nigerian population is made up of women. Yet and regrettably, so, women have not been accorded their due recognition in the national scheme of things y the Nigeria government. Inspite of the immeasurable impact made by some women who by accident occupied public positions of trust, Nigerian women are still to gain promises or at least be granted equal opportunities to contribute to policy formulation and implementation that may contribute to nation building.
It will therefore be a problem of this study to identify the various studies and contributions of women in socio-economic and political development in Nigeria.
It is also a problem for this study to analyses the extent to which theses contributions have contributed to nation building in Nigeria.
Another problem facing this study will be to identify the challenges to women involvement in policy formulation and implementation.
Finally, examining if increased women involvement in policy formulation and implementation could engender effective nation-building in Nigeria also constitute the a problem, to this study.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of this study focuses on women and nation building specially, this study will seek o find the following:
1.4 Research Questions
The following research questions will guide the researcher towards finding solutions to the problems under study.
1.6 Significance of the Study
At the successful completion of this research work, it will be of tremendous importance to the following parties in following ways:
1.7 Scope of the study
The scope of this study focuses on the role/contribution of women in nation building. The researcher narrowed the scope to cover only Anambra Central Senatorial District in Anambra state of Nigeria.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
The researcher encountered problems in carrying out this research work. The problems includes:
Despite all these problems, the researcher worked very hard and tirelessly, managed his resources and time very well, borrowed from friends and family members to finance this work. Also, questionnaires were refined as many as possible from respondents in order to facilitate this work.
1.9 Operationalization/ Definition of terms
The following terms will be frequently used in this study and their definitions in line with the context of the study will aid easy understanding.
1.10 Organization of the Study
The study was organized in five chapters. Chapter one introduced the study by giving the background information on the research problem, objectives, the scope and limitations of the study.
Chapter two deals with the review of relevant literature and presents its theoretical framework.
Chapter three discussed the research methodology adopted for the study and relevant justifications.
Chapter four will present data analysis that will be generated.
Finally, chapter five will conclude the study, summarize and present some recommendations.