Against the odds: women achievers in the Nigerian banking sector

Nigeria is traditionally seen as a patriarchal society where men dominate all spheres, and patriarchal systems of socialisation and cultural practices govern the social relations and activities of men and women. Thus, contrary to good business practice and employment regulations existing in more economically advanced countries, little evidence exists of the establishment of support mechanisms such as Work/Life balance policies or health and wellbeing facilities in few banking organisations in Nigeria. In addition to this, no records exist whatsoever, of the existence of such mechanisms in other sectors within the Nigerian labour force. Investigations in this research reveal that the National Gender Policy was adopted in 2006 to support women through the promotion of equal opportunities and career progression in employment. However, there is no evidence of the effectiveness of the policy. Despite these and many other limitations, about 63.1% of women, typically seen as part of the minority group in the Nigerian culture, occupy Middle Management positions in the Nigerian Banking Sector, while 34 - 48% of women occupy Senior Management roles. This record demonstrates a significant achievement given the records from the UK Banking Sector showing a national average for women in Senior Management positions at 28%, 36% in Middle Management positions and 11% in Senior Management. Findings from this research reveal that the above achievements have been attained mainly through the personal efforts of Nigerian women. Using Hermeneutics as a research approach, this research makes methodological, theoretical and practical contributions to knowledge through qualitative semi-structured Life-Story interviews. It aims to provide an understanding which will inspire and motivate women in all sectors of the Nigerian labour market by uncovering the ways by which women in the Nigerian Banking Sector have 'beaten the odds'. The purpose of this is to help reshape legal and policy frameworks to eliminate the worst excesses of male domination within Nigeria.