Idongesit Mishael, Uyo
For thousands of young women in Northern Nigeria, the dream of economic independence remains challenged by a combination of low digital access, limited job opportunities and persistent wage inequality, a new study has revealed.
The findings from the Jobberman Young Nigeria Works (YNW) Phase 2 Baseline Study (2026) showed that many women in the region are being left behind in the changing world of work, with limited access to internet-enabled devices and digital skills restricting their chances of securing better employment opportunities.
According to the report, about 60 per cent of women in Northern Nigeria lack internet-enabled devices, creating a major barrier to participation in an increasingly digital labour market where online platforms, remote work opportunities and digital entrepreneurship are becoming critical pathways to employment.
The study noted that while women across Nigeria contribute significantly to agriculture, trade, education, healthcare, retail and entrepreneurship, many remain concentrated in low-paying and insecure jobs with limited prospects for career advancement.
For women in the North, the challenge is compounded by restricted access to professional networks, productive assets, finance and opportunities in high-growth sectors, leaving many dependent on informal employment and small-scale businesses for survival.
The report stressed that employment figures alone do not reflect the true economic realities of women, as many who are considered employed still struggle with irregular income, poor working conditions and limited financial security.
“The challenge is no longer whether women are working, but whether they have access to dignified, productive and rewarding employment,” the study stated.
It revealed that across Nigeria, nearly two-thirds of women surveyed earn below the national minimum wage of ₦70,000, compared with about one-third of men, despite comparable educational qualifications.
The report linked the earnings gap to structural challenges including occupational segregation, unequal access to career opportunities, unpaid caregiving responsibilities and barriers that prevent women from entering better-paying industries.
In Northern Nigeria, the digital divide remains one of the strongest limitations to economic mobility. The study found that women who used online job platforms and digital tools during their employment search had better chances of accessing improved work opportunities.
However, limited internet access, lack of digital devices and low digital literacy continue to prevent many women from benefiting from emerging employment opportunities in technology, creative industries and remote work.
Beyond employment, the report identified entrepreneurship as an important pathway for women’s empowerment, noting that many women have turned to self-employment because formal job opportunities remain insufficient.
It, however, warned that without improved access to finance, markets, business development support and digital tools, many women-owned businesses may remain small, informal and vulnerable to economic shocks.
“Education remains necessary but is not sufficient to secure decent and well-paying employment,” the study noted, emphasising the need to remove structural barriers limiting women’s participation in the economy.
To address these challenges, Jobberman’s Young Nigeria Works Programme is combining employability training, entrepreneurship support, digital literacy, career services and employer engagement to expand access to quality employment.
With women expected to represent 70 per cent of the programme’s beneficiaries as part of its target to support 10 million young Nigerians by 2030, the initiative seeks to move women beyond mere participation in the labour market to securing decent work and sustainable livelihoods.
The study concluded that improving women’s employment outcomes, particularly in underserved communities in Northern Nigeria, would not only strengthen household incomes but also contribute significantly to inclusive economic growth and national development.