While there has been global progress in achieving gender equality, the enduring underrepresentation of women in positions of power remains a critical global challenge, particularly in political leadership. In Nigeria, since the restoration of civil rule in 1999, women have consistently held less than 7% of all political leadership positions in Nigeria, with the number of female legislators in the National Assembly never exceeding 5.3% (Fayomi et al. 2022; Osimosu and Adefisoye 2023; Agbalajobi 2021). The underrepresentation of women in political leadership is driven by discriminatory behaviours, deeply ingrained cultural beliefs, and prevailing social attitudes and conventions (Jaiyeola 2020). These, in turn, translate into tangible socioeconomic concerns, including limited access to school and career possibilities, disproportionate unpaid labour burdens, denial of inheritance rights, and prohibitive political campaign costs (Ayinde et al. 2020; Matthew et al. 2020; Ogunode and Abubakar 2023; Shannon, et al. 2019; UNDP 2023; Yaya et al. 2019). Understanding and addressing these barriers to Nigerian women’s participation in political leadership is crucial for fostering inclusive governance and achieving sustainable national development.