Interrogating the Roles of Women Academics in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria: Prince Abubakar Audu University and Veritas University, Abuja in Focus

Abstract

The role of women in nation-building has continued to attract global attention. With changing policies and the resulting emphasis on female education, the ground is shifting as many women have entered previously male-dominated fields such as medicine, law, politics, the academia, among others. However, women still must pass some sociocultural and institutional hurdles to be able to attain a meaningful level of growth in their chosen careers. Despite the progress that women in the professional sphere have made, they remain underrepresented in strategic and essential positions. In fact, in academia, the representation of women can be likened to a pyramid where only a very small and, indeed, insignificant number of women exist at the top and in key leadership positions, especially in Nigeria. This position also applies to Prince Abubakar Audu University and Veritas University, Abuja, by implication. In this research, we have adopted the doctrinal approach and found that women still have a long way to go compared to men in attaining leadership roles. More work needs to be done collectively by men and women to place women in the leadership scheme.