The Nigerian political space is characterised by a pervasive inequality between the male and female gender. With reference to the National Assembly (the federal parliament), there is an unmistakable lacuna in gender composition to the detriment of women, and this is in spite of relevant policy initiatives for gender balancing. This article is focussed on identifying the constraints on gender mainstreaming and how the agents of socialisation can be reformed to induce a positive reaction to women representation and participation in Nigeria’s political space. The research deploys the qualitative methodology, and sought data from secondary sources. By using the explication of gender classification as the framework of analysis, the research connects the society’s gender role designation as the basis for the inadequate opportunities for representation and participation in politics. Finally, recommendations are presented for reworking the roles and responsibilities of critical agents of socialisation in the realisation of the objectives of gender mainstreaming in the National Assembly and other political institutions.
ADEDAYO OMOSHALEWA ODUBAJO (2026) studied this question.