Nigeria recorded a zero out of 100 score on supportive parenthood policies in the 2026 Women, Business and the Law report released by the World Bank Group, underscoring major gaps in the enforcement of gender equality laws.
Mrs. Shirley Ewang, Advocacy Lead at Gatefield, disclosed this in a statement made available to reporters on Wednesday in Abuja.
While Nigeria scored 50 out of 100 on the adequacy of legal frameworks promoting gender equality, it achieved only 21.7 out of 100 on policies, budgetary provisions, and institutional mechanisms needed for effective implementation.
Globally, the report found that only 4 per cent of women live in economies offering near-full legal equality. Although the average country scored 67 out of 100 on legal provisions for women’s economic participation, scores dropped sharply when enforcement and implementation systems were evaluated.
“The data is clear: our legal progress is being severely undermined by a lack of institutional support, as reflected in our zero score on parenthood policies,” Ewang stated. “To scale women in business, management, and public service, we must urgently bridge this implementation gap.”
The report highlighted that Nigeria lacks federal laws mandating at least 14 weeks of paid maternity leave, paid paternity leave, or explicit protections against the dismissal of pregnant workers. It also noted the absence of structured financial support mechanisms or government-backed childcare systems to help women remain in the workforce.
Less than half of the 190 economies assessed globally provide financial support for families. In Nigeria, the lack of tax incentives, childcare subsidies, or government-administered childcare services further limits women’s labor force participation.
The report pointed to restrictive provisions in Nigeria’s Labor Act—particularly Sections 55, 56, and 57—which limit women’s employment in certain industrial jobs and night work. It also noted the absence of explicit legal mandates guaranteeing equal remuneration for work of equal value, contributing to persistent wage disparities.
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Gender equality progress varies significantly across Nigerian states. Lagos and Oyo were cited as leaders in legal frameworks, with Lagos operating specialized family courts and services for survivors of gender-based violence. In contrast, states such as Bauchi and Kano showed wider gaps, with some northern states scoring as low as 25 out of 100 on legal frameworks affecting women’s marital and inheritance rights.
Despite the passage of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, the report stated that supportive systems for women’s safety remain underfunded, limiting effective enforcement.
Ewang urged policymakers and private sector leaders to move beyond performative statements and adopt concrete family-friendly policies, including a minimum of 16 weeks of fully paid maternity leave, 14 days of paid paternity leave, and robust childcare infrastructure.
“With one of the world’s largest youth populations entering the workforce over the next decade—1.2 billion young people, half of them girls—closing Nigeria’s implementation gap is critical. Without it, empowering women remains an illusion and economic growth will be constrained,” she warned.
Analysts noted that establishing clear institutional mechanisms, updating parental leave policies, and expanding access to childcare services would be essential to translate gender equality legislation into measurable economic gains.
Indermit Gill, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Development Economics at the World Bank Group, emphasised the global pattern: “On paper, most countries are doing reasonably well. But when it comes to enforcing the laws, the average score drops significantly. These numbers reflect huge opportunity gaps.”
The 2026 report serves as a stark reminder that legal frameworks alone are insufficient—robust implementation, funding, and institutional support are vital to unlocking women’s full economic potential and driving inclusive growth in Nigeria and beyond.
