Nigeria has over 190 construction careers females can pursue – Expert

Doris Mbadiwe, CEO/program director, Inter-Bau Foundation, has noted that there are over 190 careers in the construction industry which females can also pursue.

She noted this based on research conducted by the foundation during its key stakeholder sensitisation campaign and official launch of the gender mainstreaming in the construction industry project(2025/2026).

The campaign and launch involved discussions around the implementation of targeted interventions to bridge the skills gap, increase female participation and retention and advance gender equality in the construction industry.

This project is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and implemented in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

Mbadiwe highlighted the need for young females to take advantage of the over 190careers in the construction industry to improve their employability and entrepreneurship prospects.

She also advocated the commitment to the creation of policies, inclusivity and job creation by dismantling systematic barriers, and promoting skills training for women and youths that creates a safer, more inclusive environment.

“Gender mainstreaming is not a one-dimensional concept. It’s a lens we must apply consistently to policies, to procurement, to hiring practices, to training, and even to standards”, she said.

Research on female labour force participation in the construction industry

A 2021 research conducted by Inter-Bau foundation on female labour force participation in construction in Nigeria, indicates that although progress is evident, significant gaps remain.

These can be found in recruitment, work-site facilities (such as daycare centers, nursing mother facilities, etc), board representation, and overall workplace culture. 

The survey was conducted in a four-part discussion group of 58 women leaders from the public sector (40 percent), and private sector (60 percent) in the construction industry.  

The aim was to identify the causes of gender disparity in the industry, and access inclusiveness and opportunities for women’s growth and career development.  

The findings show that only 5 percent of women in the construction industry have a university degree; 43 percent of women in the industry have less than five years of experience, while 60 percent work in both on-site and office roles.

Other findings show that 62 percent of the surveyed women feel included in decision-making; only 56 percent reported adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) provisions for workplace safety, and board representation of women remains below 25 percent.

In the private sector, women primarily work in carpentry and aluminium roles, while in the public sector, women are engaged in measuring and painting tasks.

The survey showed that barriers to participation include family pressure, peer influences, health and education limitations. Discrimination from senior male colleagues, despite equal or higher capability, along with a lack of supportive workplace facilities such as daycare and separate restrooms — which makes it difficult for mothers to work — were also mentioned.  

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Bridging the gender gap in the industry

Mbadiwe highlighted the contribution of the foundation to fostering employment of women in the industry. She noted that by research, over 190 careers in the construction industry have been identified and documented in free booklets.

According to her, the foundation introduces women to construction careers early, connects job seekers with employers, and addresses workplace challenges, while providing financial and skills training. 

It also engages students, graduates, parents, and professionals through tailored outreach and free career information materials sensitising over 5,000 students. So far, trainings have involved an 80:20 female-to-male ratio in technical and soft skills; including self-defence- for females only to address safety concerns.

“Gaps in the industry still exist with fewer women across the three main categories,” Mbadiwe said.

She observes fewer female participation among construction entrepreneurs; the highest level, which includes managers and CEOs; construction professionals, that is the engineers, architects and planners, and construction artisans such as masons, electricians and carpenters who are the vital workers who make tangible plans.

Stakeholders all agreed that more participation of women and girls needs to be fostered.

“The construction industry which is still male-dominated, and for a long time excluded women due to false images and physical stereotypes, in fact holds untapped potential for inclusion, innovation, and individual opportunities,” Britta VanErckelens, program manager, GIZ Skills Development for Youth Employment said.

“We are increasingly seeing women entering the construction industry and technical trades in general…and are now amplifying a simple but powerful message that women can build too”.