ABSTRACT

 In a country such as Nigeria, women tend to participate less in the labourforce. The African ideas and believes (that a woman's place ends at home) have hindered women (especially in the rural areas)from activelyparticipating in the economy Over the years, more women have become active in the labour force, but the factors that hinders womenfrom participating in the labourforce still lingers, which restrict and exclude womenfromparticipating in some certain occupation categories^--) "The female labour is known to have ~contributed to cTfarge extent to the industrial development and gross domestic productivity (GDP) ofthe Nigerian Economy, and as well serves as one ofthe highest employers oflabour. Distortions such as high reliance onforeign inputs and the neglect ofresearch still characterize the Nigerian manufacturing sector, even after the implementation of SAP. The structure and performance of the sector have not changed dramatically from the pre-SAP era which has greatly contributed to low capacity utilization andsubsequently retard industrial development in Nigeriac^^_fr^ ( This study focuses on determining the impact offemale participation in labourforce on the economic growth in Nigeria between the periods of 1981- 2018. The research also seeks to investigate the effect offemale education on economic growth in Nigeria. The objective of this study is to ascertain the long run relationship between female labour participation and economic growth in Nigeria (RGDP). The data usedwas sourcedfrom the National Bureau of Statistics of various years, World Bank data portal, as well as the CBN Statistical Bulletin. The ordinary least square method (OLS) was chosen as the estimation tool because of its advantage over other estimation techniques. The majorfinding was that Female education and female labour employment have significant impact on economic growth in Nigeria. Based on thefindings, some recommendations and suggestions have been made.

Key words; Female labour employment, Labour Force, Real Gross Domestic Product, Structure Adjustment Program (SAP).