Women Representation in Local Government Councils and Development Outcomes in Ogun State

This study investigates the relationship between women representation in local government councils and development outcomes in selected local government areas of Ogun State, Nigeria. Despite constitutional provisions and international frameworks such as the Beijing Platform for Action and the Sustainable Development Goals, women remain significantly underrepresented in Nigerian local governance structures. This study is situated in the South West geopolitical zone and examines whether increased female participation in council decision-making correlates with improved service delivery in health, education, and social welfare. A descriptive survey research design is employed, with primary data collected through structured questionnaires administered to 180 respondents including female councillors, community women, civil society representatives, and local government staff. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis will be used to test stated hypotheses. The study draws on the Liberal Feminist Theory and the Capability Approach to frame its arguments. Recent academic literature and reports from the Independent National Electoral Commission and UN Women Nigeria form the basis of the secondary data review. Expected findings indicate that local government councils with higher proportions of women exhibit stronger responsiveness to social sector needs. The study recommends affirmative action policies and capacity building programs to enhance female political participation at the grassroots level in Ogun State. Keywords: Women representation, local government, development outcomes, political participation, Ogun State.