Economy
Weak Gender Law Enforcement Limiting Nigeria’s Economic Growth, Says World Bank
Weak Gender Law Enforcement Limiting Nigeria’s Economic Growth, Says World Bank
Weak gender law enforcement limiting Nigeria’s economic growth, says World Bank. The World Bank says Nigeria’s weak enforcement of gender equality laws and lack of parenthood support policies are constraining women’s participation in the workforce and limiting the country’s economic growth.
In its Women, Business and the Law 2026 report on Wednesday, the bank said Nigeria scores 50 out of 100 on gender equality laws but just 21.7 out of 100 on the systems required to implement them, including funding, services and institutional support.
The report also gave Nigeria a 0 out of 100 score on parenthood policies, citing the absence of federally mandated paid maternity leave of at least 14 weeks, paid paternity leave, and protections against dismissal of pregnant workers.
The World Bank warned that gaps between legislation and enforcement are creating “huge opportunity gaps” that undermine productivity in developing economies.
Indermit Gill, chief economist and senior vice-president for development economics at the World Bank Group, said there is a wide gap between laws on paper and their real-world application.
“On paper, most countries are doing reasonably well: the average country scores 67 out of 100 on the adequacy of laws to enable economic equality between women and men,” Gill said.
“But when it comes to enforcing the laws, the average score drops to 53. And when the systems needed to implement those rights are assessed, the adequacy score is just 47. These numbers reflect huge opportunity gaps.”
The report noted that globally, only 4 percent of women live in economies with near-full legal equality.
In Nigeria, the Bretton Woods institution said the absence of structured childcare systems, paid parental leave, and enforceable equal pay provisions weakens female labour force retention and limits the country’s ability to harness its demographic potential.
“The country currently lacks federal laws mandating at least 14 weeks of paid maternity leave, paid paternity leave, or explicit prohibitions against the dismissal of pregnant workers. Across all Nigerian states, there are virtually no explicit provisions ensuring access to affordable and quality childcare,” the report reads.
“Less than half of the 190 economies globally provide financial support for families, and Nigeria lacks the critical tax support or government-administered mechanisms to keep mothers in the workforce.”
It also noted that across Nigerian states, there are virtually no explicit provisions guaranteeing access to affordable and quality childcare.
The report added that Nigeria lacks tax incentives or government-administered financial support systems aimed at helping families balance work and caregiving responsibilities.
WORLD BANK SAYS LABOUR RESTRICTIONS, PAY GAP PERSIST
The report said sections 55, 56 and 57 of the Nigerian Labour Act still restrict women from working in certain industrial jobs or at night.
“The lack of legal mandates for equal remuneration for work of equal value contributes to a global reality highlighted in the report: women earn, on average, just 77 cents for every dollar paid to men,” the report added.
On safety, the report said although Nigeria passed the violence against persons (Prohibition) Act, supportive frameworks remain underfunded.
“Globally, enforcement of safety laws fails 80% of the time, leaving women disproportionately vulnerable and less able to work consistently,” World Bank said.
The report also noted disparities across Nigerian states.
“States like Lagos and Oyo lead the country in legal gender equality, with Lagos operating specialized family courts and comprehensive services for survivors of gender-based violence,” it said.
“Conversely, states like Bauchi and Kano operating heavily under varying customary or religious laws show urgent gaps, with some northern states scoring as low as 25.0 out of 100 on legal frameworks limiting women’s marital and inheritance rights.”
Speaking on the performance, Shirley Ewang, advocacy lead at Gatefield, said Nigeria’s legal progress is being undermined by weak institutional backing.
World Bank
“The data is clear: our legal progress is being severely undermined by a lack of institutional backing, reflected in our 0 out of 100 score on the Parenthood indicator,” she said.
Ewang called for concrete reforms, including a minimum fully paid 16-week maternity leave, 14-day paid paternity leave, and investment in childcare infrastructure.
“Until these support systems are in place, empowering Nigerian women remains an illusion, and economic growth will be constrained,” she added.
Tea Trumbic, manager of the Women, Business and the Law project, warned of demographic urgency, noting that 1.2 billion young people, half of them girls, will enter the global workforce over the next decade.
The World Bank said closing Nigeria’s supportive framework gap is critical to unlocking women’s economic participation and avoiding long-term growth constraints.
Tax Laws Will Boost Opportunities, End Poverty, Says Tinubu
Mr Tinubu, who spoke at the commissioning of the 16-storey Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, assured Nigerians that the new reforms will deliver greater prosperity and inclusivity.
“On my inauguration day, I made a solemn pledge that we will move Nigerians from the dimness of uncertainty into the clear light of renewed hope. I committed to confronting structural weaknesses, restoring financial stability, and building an economy anchored in discipline, equity, and opportunity. Today, I stand before you to reaffirm that these words were not rhetoric; they were a covenant with the Nigerian people,” the president said.
Despite widespread criticism, especially from stakeholders, the Tinubu-led administration implemented the re-gazetted tax laws in January.
Mr Tinubu, who stated on Tuesday that the new tax system was designed to be people-centred and investment-friendly, explained that the laws were intended to liberate the economy from the constraints of archaic laws and make it more globally competitive.
While commending the Nigeria Revenue Service chairman, Zacch Adedeji, for his exceptional performance and the successful completion of the building, Mr Tinubu said no serious nation can achieve lasting prosperity on a weak and fragmented revenue system.
He added, “We are not gathered here merely to commission an edifice. We are here to mark a milestone in a larger national journey: the deliberate strengthening of our fiscal foundation and rebuilding of confidence in public institutions.
“No serious nation can achieve lasting prosperity on a weak and fragmented revenue system. No government can demand trust from its citizens when taxation is opaque, inefficient or unjust. That is why this administration took the bold decision to embark on far-reaching tax and fiscal reforms.”
The president further addressed concerns about the new tax reforms, assuring Nigerians of better performance by the revenue service.
President Tinubu
“The reforms are designed to simplify our system, eliminate distortions and create a fair, transparent and investment-friendly environment. Our direction is clear: to have a revenue system that rewards enterprise, supports growth, and ensures that every contribution to the national cause is matched by feasible value for the people.
“The early results are encouraging and fantastic. Mr Adedeji, thank you very much. We are witnessing improved fiscal stability, strength, stronger foreign reserves, a more efficient trade ecosystem and increased investor confidence in Nigeria’s economic direction,’’ Mr Tinubu said.
Peter Obi: Nigeria Collapsing, Divided Under Tinubu, May Drift into Anarchy If Re-Elected
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi says Nigeria is collapsing and divided under President Bola Tinubu, warning the country may drift into a more devastating situation if he is reelected in 2027.
“The country is collapsing, and if you allow it to go further, it would be worse,” Mr Obi said during the African Democratic Congress convention in Abuja on Tuesday. “We need to work as a united Nigeria for the sake of Nigeria. The country is so divided, so we need unity. The present government has ensured that we remain more divided. Our unity is important.”
Mr Obi, who decried the high poverty rate under Mr Tinubu, further accused the All Progressives Congress-led government of excessive borrowing.
He added, “If you check your indices, when the present government came into being, our poverty rate was 41.6% and 8 million people. Today, we are 63% and 140 million people. So they have almost doubled that.
“When this government came into being, we removed the petroleum subsidy to stop borrowing for services and use the money to develop the country. Today, we are about 200 trillion in debt. Worse still, this government owes contractors; no projects of 2025 have been funded. We have a huge debt and have borrowed more.”
The former Anambra government said the country may descend into disaster, stressing the need for sacrifices among Nigerians.
“We are heading to disaster. I used these figures to show you we are drifting. We all have to work hard because anarchy consumes everybody. We must now sacrifice for the sake of our children. If we don’t do anything, what is happening will take revenge on our children and us,” Mr Obi stated.
Peter Obi
The presidency could not be reached for comment on Mr Obi’s latest allegations.
About 141 million Nigerians were projected to fall into abject poverty in 2026, as Nigeria’s poverty rate was projected to rise exponentially to 62 per cent this year, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Nigeria Economic Outlook published in January.
The report revealed that the poverty rate, which stood at 59% in 2024, rose to 61% (139 million people) in 2025 and is expected to climb to 62% (141 million) in 2026.
PWAC: NNPC Academy’s Adekeye Headlines 2026 PENGASSAN Women Convention
We are delighted to announce that Folashade Adekeye, Director, NNPC Academy, will be a Special Guest at the PENGASSAN Women Annual Convention (PWAC) 2026.
With over 25 years of expertise in Strategic Human Resource Management and Human Capacity Development, Adekeye played a key role in the landmark transition to NNPC Limited under the Petroleum Industry Act (2021). She currently provides stellar leadership at the NNPC Academy, repositioning it as a strategic national and regional training hub.
NNPC
We are proud to see her excellence recognised on this important platform. Join her at the two-day convention, themed ‘The Dynamic Woman,’ on 15th and 16th April 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria, commencing at 10:00 AM daily.
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