A reassessment of the effects of female education and employment on fertility in Nigeria

This paper reassesses the nexus between female education, employment and fertility in Nigeria. The four Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) that have been conducted in the country (1990–2008) were analysed. Between 1990 and 2008, the educational status of women improved appreciably and the proportion of illiterate women in the country declined from 57.2 to 35.8 per cent. Multivariate analysis suggests that female education was inversely related to the indicators of fertility (P<0.01). The association between working away from home and fertility indicators was negative in the pooled data (P<0.01), but this association was mixed in separate surveys. Selfemployment manifested a positive relationship with the indicators of fertility (P<0.01). Female education remains a valid channel through which a sustainable fertility decline can be achieved in the country. A vigorous drive to promote female education in all parts of the country is recommended. Girl child education in the north should be stressed.