NIGERIA: Dramatic increase in female undergraduates
The number of female students in Nigeria has risen almost seven-fold since independence in 1960 and women could soon outnumber their male counterparts in the country's universities, according to experts. Recently released statistics show the proportion of female students rose from 7.7% in 1960 to 45% in 2009.
Research and interest in gender in higher education has grown as the number of women students has increased and the gap between the genders in subjects such as law, engineering, medicine and pharmacy has closed.
In a paper titled 'Impact of Economic Depression on the Education of Male/female Undergraduates in Nigeria', Aina Sola, a lecturer in the sociology department at Lagos State University, details the gradual rise of female enrolment in universities.
via www.universityworldnews.com
What has been a long-standing trend in Nigeria has accelerated of late. A phenomenon that is evident in other parts of the world -- for example in the countries of Wes Asia, and the Gulf in particular.
