Nigeria stands to gain up to 1.7 million working mothers in its labor force by 2030 if it invests in affordable, quality childcare, according to a new report by Economist Impact’s Childcare Dividend Initiative (CDI). The findings were unveiled during a high-level forum held alongside the G20 Women’s Economic Empowerment Working Group Ministerial Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The report, supported by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, emphasizes that childcare is not just a social service but a critical driver of inclusive economic growth. It highlights that Nigeria could experience the largest workforce increase as a percentage of population, with the 1.7 million figure representing 2.7% of the national workforce The Punch.
The study argues that scaling investment in childcare infrastructure would not only empower women economically but also enhance national productivity, support gender equality, and reduce poverty. It calls for coordinated action from both the government and private sector to build sustainable childcare systems that are accessible and affordable for all families.
