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Original Research | Finance | Volume 15 Issue 8, August 2026 | Pages: 1344 - 1350 | Nigeria
Women Financial Inclusiveness and Rural Development in Northern Nigeria
Abstract: Despite growing efforts to promote financial inclusion, women continue to experience greater levels of financial exclusion than men due to persistent socioeconomic and gender-related barriers that increase their vulnerability to poverty. Although economic inclusion and financial inclusion are mutually reinforcing, unequal access to financial resources and services continues to limit women's participation in productive economic activities, particularly in rural communities. Against this background, this study examined the effect of women's financial inclusion on rural development in Nigeria, with a focus on selected states in Northern Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted, and data were collected through structured questionnaires and interviews administered to women in the study area. The data were analyzed using regression analysis to determine the relationship between indicators of women's financial inclusion and rural development. The findings revealed that ownership of a bank account had a positive and statistically significant effect on rural development. Similarly, access to commercial financial products exhibited a positive and statistically significant influence on rural development suggesting that improved access to financial services enhances women's economic participation and livelihood opportunities. However, access to microfinance bank services showed a positive but statistically insignificant relationship with rural development. The study therefore recommends that the government, the Central Bank of Nigeria, commercial banks, and other financial institutions should strengthen financial inclusion policies by expanding banking infrastructure in rural communities, promoting digital financial services, improving financial literacy among rural women, and designing affordable, gender-responsive financial products. In addition, microfinance institutions should review their lending policies, reduce barriers to credit access, and develop more flexible financial products that meet the specific needs of rural women entrepreneurs in order to enhance their contribution to rural development.
Keywords: Women, Financial Inclusion, Rural Development, Bank Account Ownership, Commercial Financial Products, Microfinance, Nigeria
How to Cite?: Alexander Olawumi Dabor, "Women Financial Inclusiveness and Rural Development in Northern Nigeria", Volume 15 Issue 8, August 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1344-1350, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26806221719, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26806221719