Gender Politics in Nigeria: A Socio-Political Analysis of Women’s Perspectives on Feminism, Feminist Politics, and Democracy

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Victor Jatula
Olusegun Adesanya

Abstract

Nigeria’s democracy exhibits gender-based inequalities that suppress women’s voices and disproportionately under-represent them in
political leadership. Using feminist political philosophy as its theoretical framework, and mixed methods to gather data, this study interrogated Nigerian feminism, feminist politics, and democracy through the lens of 100 working-class women. Findings reveal the existential struggles of participants whose material deprivation and political powerlessness have increased apathy towards gender politics, elections, and political institutions. Wedged between modernity and patriarchy, they reject Western notions of sexual liberalism and conceptualize democracy as necessary but incapable of ensuring economic progress – the end for which it exists. The arguments in the present article matter because they contribute to feminist/political scholarship in Nigeria.

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How to Cite
Jatula, V., & Adesanya, O. (2025). Gender Politics in Nigeria: A Socio-Political Analysis of Women’s Perspectives on Feminism, Feminist Politics, and Democracy. Modern Africa: Politics, History and Society, 12(2), 57–81. https://doi.org/10.26806/modafr.v12i2.251
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Articles
Author Biographies

Victor Jatula, Brunel University, London

He lectures on political communication in London, Brunel University. His research is located in the broad fields of press and politics. He explores the relations between political journalism and democracy and how this underpins development in Africa. He investigates factors that foster or hinder democratic processes, political participation, and the role of media and power on development in such spaces and societies. E-mail: vjatula@gmail.com

Olusegun Adesanya, Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Nigeria

He holds a doctorate in International Relations from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. He is an Associate Professor in International Relations and Diplomacy at the Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Nigeria. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, and authored chapters in books. E-mail: adesanyapo@abuad.edu.ng