Analysis of Gender Gaps in Technical and Vocational Education Enrolment in North Central Nigeria

This study analyzed gender disparities in technical and vocational education (TVE) enrolment across North Central Nigeria, encompassing Benue, Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kwara States, and the FCT. Persistent enrolment gender gaps in TVE are a structural concern with implications for labor market equity and women's economic empowerment. The study employed a secondary data analysis and primary survey design, combining five years of enrolment statistics from the Universal Basic Education Commission with data from 600 students, 150 teachers, and 80 administrators in 30 institutions. Multiple regression analysis was used to decompose the gender gap. Results confirmed significant underrepresentation of females in technical trade areas, with female enrolment averaging 19.3 percent of total TVE enrolment. Socioeconomic background, parental education, distance to school, and cultural norms accounted for 68 percent of the explained gap. Schools with active gender equity policies and female role model teachers showed smaller disparities. The study recommends that North Central State Governments adopt gender-disaggregated TVE targets, enact bursary programmes specifically targeting female technical students, and develop a regional gender mainstreaming framework for TVE institutions. These findings provide a rigorous empirical foundation for gender equity policy in vocational education across Nigeria's North Central zone. Keywords: gender gap, vocational education enrolment, North Central Nigeria, female participation, education equity.