Reykjavík Index 2025: 9 in 10 Nigerians Back Women Leaders but Face Real Barriers

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A new Reykjavík Index report shows 89% of Nigerians are open to a female CEO and 77% support a woman as head of government. Nigeria’s overall leadership readiness score rose to 59, up from 57 last year. Despite strong public support, women hold just 12% of CEO roles and 4% of National Assembly seats. Childcare is the biggest bias gap, scoring only 33, while banking and finance lead at 73. Perception gains are driven largely by men, shrinking the gender gap from eight to five points. Family upbringing, education, and personal experience shape how Nigerians view women leaders. Experts say it’s time to turn optimism into action. They call for quotas, policy reform, and accountability to match representation with public opinion.

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