A Theoretical Investigation of Career Development for Women in Male-Dominated Professions in Nigeria

Women entering and advancing in male-dominated professions in Nigeria face distinctive career development barriers shaped by gender bias, cultural expectations, organisational discrimination, and the tension between professional identity and traditional domestic roles, and a theoretical framework adequate to guide counselling support for this population requires original development. This study conducted an original theoretical investigation into career development for women in male-dominated professions in Nigeria, encompassing engineering, law, medicine, and politics across the South East, South West, and North Central zones. A constructive theory-building methodology combining systematic review of gender-sensitive career theory, grounded theory qualitative research, and expert consultation was employed. Grounded theory interviews were conducted with 50 women professionals across the four fields in Lagos, Enugu, and Abuja, generating a rich dataset subjected to constant comparative analysis over 24 months. The systematic review of 56 career development publications identified that existing career theories including Super's life-span model and Holland's person-environment fit model inadequately address gender-role conflict, institutional gender bias, intersectionality of ethnicity and religion with gender, and the negotiated dual career-family identity specific to Nigerian professional women. The original Gender-Embedded Career Development Framework for Nigerian Women proposes seven theoretical constructs: structural barrier navigation, gendered identity negotiation, mentor-sponsor network cultivation, dual-role integration strategy, cultural gender schema management, resilience accumulation through micro-success, and voice claim escalation. Clinical applications for career counselling and organisational consulting are specified. Expert review confirmed the framework's original theoretical contribution.

Keywords: women's career development, male-dominated professions, Nigeria, grounded theory, feminist career counselling