Education Management and the Challenges Facing Women Academics in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions: Implications for Gender-Responsive Institutional Development

Abstract

Women academics constitute an important component of the human resources required for effective teaching, research, innovation and community service in Nigerian tertiary institutions. However, their participation and advancement within the academic profession continue to be affected by several institutional, social and professional challenges. This paper examines the challenges facing women academics in Nigerian tertiary institutions from an education management perspective. The paper identifies gender inequality and limited access to academic leadership, work–family conflict and excessive workload, inadequate mentorship and professional support, limited access to research funding, underrepresentation in decision-making, and sociocultural expectations as major challenges affecting women's academic development. These challenges have implications for staff productivity, research output, career advancement, institutional leadership and the overall effectiveness of tertiary education management. The paper argues that effective education management requires institutional policies and practices that promote equity, inclusion, professional development and equal opportunities for male and female academics. The paper recommends the establishment of gender-responsive management policies, structured mentoring programmes, equitable workload distribution, improved access to research funding, family-friendly institutional policies and transparent promotion procedures. Such measures would strengthen women's participation in academic leadership and contribute to more effective and inclusive management of Nigerian tertiary institutions.