Philosophical Perspectives on Gender Inequality in Northern Nigerian Muslim Communities

This study examines philosophical perspectives on gender inequality within Northern Nigerian Muslim communities, focusing on Katsina and Zamfara States in Nigeria's North West geopolitical zone. Gender inequality in these communities is often justified through interpretations of Islamic philosophical and theological principles, but feminist philosophy and internal Islamic reformist thought provide counter-arguments that challenge these justifications. Using a descriptive philosophical design, the study engages with Islamic feminist philosophy, particularly the work of Amina Wadud and Fatima Mernissi, alongside secular feminist philosophy from Martha Nussbaum's capabilities approach, supplemented by secondary literature published between 2020 and 2024. Structured interviews with 20 Islamic scholars, women's rights activists, and philosophy academics in Katsina and Gusau inform the primary data. Findings reveal a significant divergence between classical Quranic ethics, which emphasise the equal moral dignity of men and women, and culturally embedded patriarchal practices that systematically restrict women's educational, economic, and civic participation. The study argues that both Islamic philosophy and liberal feminist philosophy converge on principles of human dignity that, consistently applied, would require substantial reform of gender practices in the study communities. Recommendations include philosophically grounded gender equity advocacy that engages with, rather than dismisses, Islamic ethical frameworks. Keywords: gender inequality, Islamic feminist philosophy, Northern Nigeria, capabilities approach, patriarchy.