MIDDLE EAST CRISIS AND WOMEN’S SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The Middle East crisis, particularly the persistent tensions involving Iran, Israel, and allied global powers, has generated significant economic and social consequences across developing nations, including Nigeria. This paper examined the effects of the Middle East crisis on the socio-economic status of women in Nigeria. The chapter observed that the crisis has contributed to rising inflation, food insecurity, unemployment, transportation costs, and declining household welfare in Nigeria. Women, who constitute a substantial proportion of Nigeria’s informal economic sector and household caregivers, have been disproportionately affected by these economic disruptions. The study further revealed that many Nigerian women now experience reduced purchasing power, increased unpaid domestic labour, declining business profitability, and worsening poverty conditions due to global oil market instability and economic uncertainty associated with the Middle East conflict. The paper concluded that although the conflict occurs outside Africa, its indirect consequences have deepened gender inequality and economic vulnerability among women in Nigeria. The study recommended stronger social protection policies, targeted economic empowerment programmes for women, agricultural support schemes, and improved economic diversification strategies to reduce the impact of external geopolitical crises on Nigerian women.