Gender and Good Governance: Debates, Evidence and Concerns for Nigerian Women

Abstract

This article examines the debate on Nigerian women’s contribution to good governance. It contends that the failure of Nigerian women in bringing about improved governance outcomes is attributable to their insignifi cant inclusion into the public space. It further argues that this situation leads to the alienation of the few women who make narrow inroads into the public realm. Their minority status in governance also subjects them to the manipulation and control of male-dominated institutions and networks to which they are unfortunately patronised to get into government. The aggregation of these factors therefore inhibits their ability to engender good governance.