AN ASSESSMENT OF WOMEN'S LIVELIHOOD AMIDST ECONOMIC SITUATION UNDER TINUBU ADMINISTRATION 

(A CASE STUDY OF EPE, LAGOS STATE)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

The economic downturn in Nigeria has been a significant concern for policymakers, economists, and citizens alike. This phenomenon is not new, as Nigeria has faced various economic challenges over the years, including periods of recession, high inflation rates, and fluctuating oil prices. The Nigerian economy is heavily dependent on oil, which accounts for a substantial portion of government revenue and foreign exchange earnings. However, this reliance on oil has made the economy vulnerable to global oil price shocks (Aigbokhan, 2020). 

Between 2015 and 2016, Nigeria experienced a severe economic recession due to a sharp decline in oil prices and production disruptions caused by militant activities in the Niger Delta region. The recession led to a contraction in GDP, high unemployment rates, and a significant depreciation of the Naira. The government implemented various policies to stabilize the economy, including monetary tightening, fiscal adjustments, and efforts to diversify the economy away from oil dependency (Kale & Doguwa, 2019). According to Doguwa, (2023) the Nigerian economy has continued to face high levels of public debt, low industrial output, inadequate infrastructure, and pervasive corruption have impeded economic growth. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the economic situation, leading to another recession in 2020. The pandemic disrupted global supply chains, reduced oil demand, and led to a decline in government revenues (World Bank, 2021).

Consequently, the economic situation has had severe social consequences, including increased poverty rates and a decline in living standards. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (2021), the unemployment rate in Nigeria reached an all-time high of 33.3% in the fourth quarter of 2020, while the poverty rate remained above 40%. These conditions have contributed to widespread social unrest and insecurity in various parts of the country and with greater impact on women livelihood (Oluwaseyi, 2021).  This is because women contribute substantially to various sectors, particularly agriculture, trade, and small-scale enterprises. According to Okafor and Amalu (2020), women account for a large portion of the informal sector, engaging in activities such as petty trading, farming, and artisanal work. These economic activities are crucial for household sustenance and community development. However, when there is no means for women to contribute to their families  these limits their access to resources and opportunities needed for economic advancement. 

In May 2023, Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office as the President of Nigeria, inheriting a fragile economy. The Tinubu administration has pledged to address the economic challenges by implementing comprehensive reforms. These include improving the business environment, enhancing fiscal discipline, and promoting investments in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and technology. Key initiatives include efforts to improve infrastructure, diversify the economy, and attract foreign investment (Presidency of Nigeria, 2023). Additionally, the administration has emphasized the importance of fighting corruption and enhancing governance to create a more conducive environment for economic development. While it is too early to fully assess the impact of these measures, there is cautious optimism that strategic policy implementation may help steer Nigeria towards a more stable and prosperous economic future. Whereaas this is futuristis, the economic deceleration has resulted in elevated levels of  hardship with a particular impact on women, particularly those engaged in low-skilled and informal occupations. 

Therefore, a survey will be conducted in order to assess women livelihood amidst economic situation under Tinubu administration.

Statement of the Problem

Economic hardship in Nigeria has exacerbated the challenges faced by women in their economic pursuits. The country has been grappling with issues such as inflation, unemployment, and declining living standards, which disproportionately affect women (Aderemi, 2019). For instance, the rising cost of goods and services reduces the profitability of small businesses predominantly run by women. Additionally, economic instability often forces women to take on multiple jobs to sustain their families, leading to increased stress and reduced productivity (Ajayi & Olaniyan, 2021).

According to Egwurube (2022), true Nigerian women faces difficulties related to sociocultural, political, economic, and legal concerns. However, the Central Bank of Nigeria (2023) asserts that inflation rates have surged to record levels, leading to a substantial rise in the prices of vital commodities and services like food, healthcare, and education. Well as, women, who traditionally bear the responsibility of managing home finances and safeguarding the well-being of their families, are facing growing challenges in meeting their financial needs.  The gradual decline in the value of money restricts their capacity to get essential goods and services, resulting in heightened levels of stress and financial distress. Furthermore, the eeconomic ssituation in Nigeria has also impacted women’s access to education and skill development opportunities. 

Although the Nigerian government has attempted several initiatives to alleviate the effects of economic stagnation, these efforts frequently fall short in appropriately addressing the distinct requirements of women. According to Okoi, Okpa & Iniama (2021), iinsufficient policies exist to specifically address the economic empowerment of women and establish social safety nets. The African Development Bank (2023) contends that the current support mechanisms are inadequate and fail to reach the most susceptible women. Nevertheless, ppolicy interventions must be effective in addressing the specific obstacles that women experience and ensuring their access to resources and opportunities that can assist them in navigating economic crises. Hence, it is in the light of these that the study seeks to assess women livelihood amidst economic situation under Tinubu administration.

 1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to assess women's livelihood amidst economic situation.  Specifically, the study will;

Determine the extent at which economic crisis impact the income level of women in Nigeria.

Aassess  whether economic hardship impacts employment opportunities for women in Epe, Lagos State.

Determine the whether eeconomic hardship impacts women's health and well-being in Epe, Lagos State.

1.4  Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

What is the extent of the economic crisis impact the income level of women in Nigeria?

Does economic hardship impacts employment opportunities for women in Epe, Lagos State.

What is the impact of the economic situation on the livelihood of women in Nigeria?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

H0: The economic situation under the Tinubu administration has no significant impact on women's livelihoods.

Ha: The economic situation under the Tinubu administration has significant impact on women's livelihoods.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study findings will assist the Nigerian government and policymakers in designing effective economic policies and interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of inflation in the country. NGOs and social activists will be able to advocate for policies that protect vulnerable populations from the adverse effects of inflation. Nevertheless, subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. This means that other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regard to women's livelihood amidst economic situation.

1.7 Scope of the study   

The scope of this study is boarded on women's livelihood amidst economic situation under Tinubu administration. Empirically, the study will determine the extent of economic crisis on the income level of women, assess the level of availability of employment opportunities for women,determine the whether conomic hardship impacts women's health and well-being and ascertain the impact of economic situation on the livelihood of women.

Geographically, the study will be delimited to women in Epe, Lagos state.

1.8 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed. More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

 1.9 Definition of Terms

Economic:  relates to the economy, which is the system of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services in a particular country or region.

Economic meltdown: refers to a severe and sudden downturn in the economy, characterized by a rapid decline in financial markets and a significant drop in economic activity.

Economic hardship: a situation where individuals or groups experience financial difficulties that hinder their ability to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, healthcare, and education.

Livelihood: refers to the means by which an individual or household secures the necessities of life, such as food, water, shelter, clothing, and healthcare.