Abstract
Nigeria ranks near the bottom globally for women’s representation in politics, with women holding just 3.9% of seats in the House of Representatives and three out of 108 Senate seats. Research conducted in Ogun State reveals that this lack of visible female leaders shapes children’s perceptions: when asked to draw political leaders, only 5% of nearly 1,000 children depicted women, indicating that both girls and boys internalize male-dominated political imagery. Deep-seated societal and cultural biases, party practices favoring men, and the high cost of running for office further entrench this gender gap. The study underscores the importance of positive exposure to women in leadership, as such visibility can encourage girls’ political engagement. To address these disparities, the authors advocate for civic education, media campaigns to challenge gender stereotypes, and the implementation of gender quotas in Nigerian politics to foster a more equitable future.
