Learning the Limits of Belonging: Classroom-Newsroom Gender Paradox in Nigerian Journalism

We examine women’s dominance in Nigerian journalism classrooms despite their lack of commensurate representation in newsrooms. Drawing on 27 in-depth interviews with female students, we find that journalism is often pursued as a fallback option, limiting initial motivation. Within training institutions, perceptions of poor teaching, lack of practical training, and toxic learning environments appear to contribute to disengagement from the practice. Patriarchal norms, including assumptions about men’s provider role and privileging men’s authority, shape their perception of these discouraging lessons. The findings compound existing pipeline explanations for this disparity, with implications for scholarship on gender equity, journalism pedagogy, and practice.