A new report on leadership perceptions in Nigeria has revealed overwhelming public support for women in top corporate roles, with 89 per cent of Nigerians expressing confidence in women’s ability to lead major institutions.
The findings, contained in the Reykjavik Index for Leadership 2025–2026, highlight a significant shift in societal attitudes towards female leadership, even as structural barriers continue to limit women’s representation at the top.
According to the Nigeria Leadership Readiness report, nearly nine in ten Nigerians are comfortable with women occupying executive positions, including serving as chief executive officers of large companies. This strong endorsement reflects growing acceptance of women’s leadership capabilities across the country.
The report also shows that support extends beyond the corporate space, with 77 per cent of respondents backing women in political leadership roles.
Data from the index indicates gradual progress in perceptions, as Nigeria’s overall score rose to 59 in the 2025–2026 edition, up from 57 recorded in the previous year. The improvement was partly driven by increased acceptance among men, particularly older demographics, whose index score climbed from 53 to 56.
Despite this positive trend, the report highlights a persistent gap between public opinion and workplace realities. While acceptance of female leadership stands close to 90 per cent, only 55 per cent of Nigerians believe that gender equality exists within the workplace.
This creates a 34-point gap, underscoring the disconnect between societal support and actual institutional practice. The report notes that although attitudes are changing, organisational systems and policies have yet to fully align with this shift.
“The challenge now lies in translating widespread acceptance into real opportunities,” the report emphasised, pointing to the need for stronger institutional reforms to close the gender gap in leadership.
It further identified key sectors where women have demonstrated strong leadership outcomes, including banking, finance, education and pharmaceuticals. Other industries such as childcare, fashion and engineering were also noted for increasing female participation in leadership roles.
The findings were presented during a virtual stakeholder engagement involving women from diverse professional backgrounds, where discussions focused on advancing gender inclusion and leadership equity in Nigeria.
Overall, the report suggests that while Nigeria is making progress in changing perceptions about women in leadership, more deliberate efforts are required to ensure that this support translates into tangible representation and equal opportunities in the workplace.
culled from The Nation Newspapers, click on the link to read full story https://thenationonlineng.net/report-nine-in-ten-nigerians-say-women-can-lead-corporate-institutions/
