Ibadan Journal of the Social Sciences
Volume 23, No. 2, 2025
DOI: 10.36108/ijss/5202.32.0260
Psychosocial Predictors of Female Entrepreneurship in Nigeria, The Gains and The Gaps: A Systematic Review
Temitope E. Omosebi
Department of Psychology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Abstract
Female entrepreneurship is crucial for fostering sustainable economic growth, gender diversity in economic opportunities, achieving an inclusive economy, and addressing gender disparities in development. However, the realisation of these merits of female entrepreneurship in Nigeria is encumbered by several challenges, which have only been examined from domain-specific perspectives. Hence, this paper was committed to a multidisciplinary investigation of female entrepreneurship in Nigeria. Using systematic review and narrative synthesis methods, this study examined the psychosocial predictors of female entrepreneurship, barriers, and relevant solutions in Nigeria. The designed search strategy was used on Google Scholar and EBSCO Essentials. Fifty-one studies were deemed appropriate and synthesised. The cumulative sample size of the studies was 11,757, with participants from twenty-seven states and the Federal Capital Territory. The thematic findings showed critical policy implications, including integrating psychological and social dynamics into entrepreneurship policies, training programmes and initiatives targeted at women to boost motivation to participate; providing enforceable policies against gender-based discrimination; and improving and easing access to financial assistance for women entrepreneurs. Further findings also showed the need to promote women’s social capital and empowerment; address infrastructural deficits; and provide entrepreneurship education and skills programmes for women.
Keywords: Female entrepreneurship, psychosocial predictors, entrepreneurial barriers, policy, systematic review