Breaking Gender Barriers: Nigerian Researcher Uncovers Shifting Employment Trends Among Graduates
Folalumi Alaran in Abuja
In a significant discovery that could redefine understanding gender employment patterns, Nigerian researcher Temitope Faloye has made significant progress in analyzing the shift in employment preferences among Nigerian graduates. Her work focuses on distinct gender-based trends that influence career choices within the formal and entrepreneurial sectors, revealing complex social factors that drive these preferences.
With funding from international organizations and in collaboration with notable African and International universities, Faloye’s intervention aims to transform perspectives on gender roles and career aspirations in Nigeria, across Africa, and the globe. Her findings intends to advance gender equality by addressing the underlying biases and social constructs that influence employment choices and restrict individual potential. The local and global impacts of her work is undeniable, inspiring new initiatives in the pursuit of gender equity in the workforce.
Faloye’s research focuses on labor market stakeholders, particularly employees, employers, and recruitment agencies, to investigate gender-specific trends in employment preferences among Nigerian graduates. Employing rigorous qualitative techniques, including in-depth interviews, her study offers a nuanced understanding of how gender influences career choices in Nigeria’s job market.
Her findings reveal a clear pattern regarding gender preferences in the job market, especially among recent graduates. Female graduates are perceive as eager to join corporate roles, and this seems to align with job application trends, where a significant portion of applicants for corporate and formal sector jobs are women. Many women demonstrate a strong interest in structured, office-based careers such as banking indicating a clear commitment to building long-term careers within corporate environments. Through this detailed analysis, Faloye’s research sheds new light on the factors driving gendered career choices, providing valuable insights for employers and policymakers.
Temitope Faloye’s research reveals a significant shift in career preferences among Nigerian graduates, with notable gender distinctions. Nigerian women are increasingly inclined to pursue corporate roles, showing strong motivation for career advancement within structured environments, even when these roles start with modest pay, says Temitope.
In contrast, men are generally more hesitant to engage in lower-paying formal jobs, often due to family responsibilities and financial pressures. Instead, male graduates frequently express a preference for entrepreneurial pursuits, prioritizing independence and swift career growth. This trend reflects a broader inclination among young men to seek self-employment or business ownership directly after graduation.
Faloye also identifies a growing aspiration among young Nigerian men to explore opportunities abroad, as many prefer emigration over conventional white-collar jobs in Nigeria. This trend reflects a shift toward global mobility and independence among male graduates.
To address these evolving trends, Faloye’s research highlights the importance of implementing targeted strategies to effectively support and retain talent. She suggests gender-specific recruitment and retention strategies, enhanced programs for entrepreneurship and career development, a focus on retention culture and structured career progression in the corporate sector, the promotion of flexible working arrangements, and the creation of incentives designed to address migration trends. Her work offers a valuable framework for fostering a more inclusive, adaptable, and competitive workforce in Nigeria.
