Women empowerment has remained a central concern in global development discourse, yet in Nigeria persistent socio-economic, political and cultural barriers continue to limit women’s autonomy, visibility and access to opportunities. Despite national and international commitments including the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), women in Nigeria still experience disproportionate levels of poverty, low political representation, discriminatory laws and deeply entrenched patriarchal norms. This study reviews key women empowerment initiatives in Nigeria from 1999 to 2024, identifies the major barriers that undermine progress, and evaluates the extent to which state and non-state interventions have enhanced women participation in economic, political and social spheres. The study adopted a systematic review approach, synthesizing findings from peer-reviewed articles, government reports, policy documents, and credible media sources.

The study reveals that while various administrations introduced programmes aimed at improving women’s welfare such as Women Fund for Economic Empowerment, Business Development Fund for Women, Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, National Social Investment Programme and the Nigeria for Women Programme, their impact has been uneven, short-lived or poorly implemented. The Jonathan administration (2010-2015) recorded the most significant improvement in women’s political inclusion, surpassing previous governments in female appointments and leadership opportunities. However, pervasive structural barriers including restrictive cultural practices, discriminatory legislation, political exclusion, gender-based violence and limited access to economic resources continue to hinder sustainable empowerment outcomes. The paper concludes that although notable progress has been made, women’s empowerment in Nigeria remains far below global and national expectations. It recommends among others implementing long-term and well-funded empowerment programmes, expanding girls’ education and skills acquisition, and ensuring women’s equitable participation in governance and economic decision-making.