Adebukola Mariam Idris Fasanya

Despite constituting nearly half of Nigeria’s population, women remain significantly underrepresented in civic leadership and decision-making spaces. Structural, sociocultural, and institutional barriers such as patriarchal norms, economic constraints, gender stereotypes, and political intimidation continue to limit women’s visibility, confidence, and participation. While civil society organizations, media actors, and development partners increasingly rely on strategic communication to promote women’s leadership, there is limited empirical evidence assessing how effective these communication efforts truly are. This study evaluates the impact of strategic communication on women’s participation and representation in civic leadership across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Guided by Framing Theory and Feminist Communication Theory, the research adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys, key informant interviews, and content analysis. Data were collected from a probability-based sample of 883 respondents, ensuring national representation. Quantitative analysis using chi-square and regression techniques was complemented by qualitative insights to capture lived experiences and contextual dynamics. Findings reveal high awareness of communication campaigns promoting women’s civic engagement, with social media emerging as the most influential communication channel. The study establishes a statistically significant relationship between exposure to strategic communication and willingness to participate in leadership. However, persistent sociocultural and institutional barriers continue to constrain women’s full participation. The study contributes evidence-based insights to inform more inclusive, culturally responsive, and effective communication strategies for advancing women’s civic leadership in Nigeria.