Historically, women in Nigeria have played a significant role in society and the home. Women contributed significantly to the household income through their work in various areas like farming and commerce. Women in Nigeria had more economic freedom than those in many other societies. Western influence from colonization to the present has hindered women's freedom in many areas from family to health. Nigerian society upholds the traditions of marriage and family.
Women are under enormous pressure to marry and bear children in order to have a place in society.
Once married, a woman's status is under her husband's family and she has very few rights. Also, wives have little male support since Nigerian law does not enforce the husband's responsibility toward family. Many women labor in the fields as farmers, yet the males in Nigerian society commonly deny profits and appreciation for this labor. Inheritance is a repressive issue for many women in Nigeria. Legally, a woman is entitled to a share of her husband's estate if he dies.