Women’s Livelihoods in Nigeria After COVID-19

Oyadiran Kehinde Olamipo and Joseph Rudigi Rukema

Published: 2025/09/01

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected women’s livelihoods in different parts of Nigeria and exacerbated pre-existing gender inequalities. This research sought to assess whether there is a persistent impact of Covid-19 on women’s livelihoods in Nigeria. Particular focus is directed to pre-existing socio-economic factors that rendered them severely affected, and how the women are coping with the challenge of recovering from the disaster. The study adopted a qualitative method, interviewing 60 economically active women in the South-West of Nigeria using semi-structured interview guides, 30 from the formal sector and 30 from the informal sector. The findings show a significant disparity between the formal and informal sectors in the effect of the pandemic on women’s means of livelihood. Whereas the formal sector units such as industries imposed layoffs and pay cuts, women were cushioned by various labour laws and unemployment benefits to some extent. In contrast, the informal sector, which encompasses activities like trading and small businesses, was severely affected by the government’s closures and by disruptions of transnational supply chains. Nevertheless, Nigerian women were resilient in the face of these adversities, as evidenced by their use of social capital and community support networks, such as informal credit schemes and savings groups.

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