Bridging the Skills-to-Leadership Gap: How Community-Driven Education Models Can Transform Women's Leadership Development in Nigerian Higher Education

This poster was presented at the Gender & Inclusion Summit 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria. It is based on the abstract titled “Bridging the Skills-to-Leadership Gap: How Community-Driven Education Models Can Transform Women’s Leadership in Nigerian Higher Education.” The study explores the persistent underrepresentation of women in student leadership across Nigerian universities despite making up nearly half of the student population. Drawing on survey data from over 150 students, the research highlights critical gaps in employability and leadership skills—particularly problem-solving, teamwork, and confidence—that hinder women’s transition from academic spaces into leadership roles. Findings reveal that community-driven education models, such as Cybergirls and similar alternative learning ecosystems, can bridge these gaps by equipping participants with practical skills and leadership readiness. Notably, women who combine university education with community-driven programs often demonstrate stronger competencies and higher leadership potential than their peers. This poster contributes to ongoing conversations on gender, education, and inclusion by emphasizing the transformative role of alternative learning communities in building a new generation of women leaders.