The Impact of Millennium Development Goals on Gender Equality in Nigeria (2005 – 2010)

ABSTRACT This research work examines the impact of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on gender equality and women empowerment in Nigeria 2005-2010. The study contends that women have the same potentials, abilities, and skills to contribute in national development. However, in Nigeria, gender equality/women empowerment is still a serious challenge to effective participation of women in politics. The data used in this study was collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary method/source were research instrument (questionnaire) and oral interview. Some research questions were asked as a guide to the respondents. The questionnaire contained (twenty two) structured questions designed in both open and close ended style. In addition, the questionnaire was validated and administered accordingly. Secondary sources of data collection on the other hand, included textbooks, journal, government documents and internet materials. The study adopted simple percentage, tables, chi-square statistical analysis and descriptive method for data analysis. The data analysis revealed that: that the societal beliefs and perceptions constrain gender equality and women empowerment as well as their political participation in Nigeria; government policies to promote gender equality and women empowerment in Nigeria are still not enough to achieve the Millennium Development Goals targets 2015; poor education of women also contributes to lower efforts towards gender equality as well as the political participation of women in Nigeria; socio-cultural and economic factors are major challenging to gender equality and women empowerment in Nigeria; and government and non-governmental organizations are all in the struggle to actualize gender equality and women empowerment in Nigeria. Based on these findings, the study recommended that women should be given equal opportunity to participate in politics like the men. Also there is need to ensure that socio-cultural factors that constrain gender quality and women empowerment in Nigeria are eliminated.