Abstract

This mixed-methods study examines gender barriers constraining female youth entrepreneurship in Nigeria, analyzing survey data from 384 entrepreneurs (252 males, 132 females) across 18 states alongside 24 in-depth interviews. Findings reveal significant disparities: female youth demonstrate 31% lower network density, 29% fewer training hours, and 57% reduced revenues compared to males, with social capital emerging as the strongest survival predictor (β=0.42, R²=0.38). Social Capital Theory explains exclusion from male-dominated trader unions while Human Capital Theory reveals training irrelevance yielding negative returns (r=-0.18) for women. Regional patterns show Southwest ecosystems narrowing gaps (24%) versus Northeast cultural barriers widening disparities (42%). Despite 41% two-year survival versus males' 67%, female entrepreneurs reinvest 87% of profits into households2.5 times male rates demonstrating superior social multipliers. Five evidence-based recommendations address these barriers: 40% gender quotas for loans/trader unions, modular homebased training with childcare subsidies, 60 mixed-gender mentorship hubs, unified digital business registration, and Social Return on Investment metrics recognizing household impacts. These interventions, validated by Tony Elumelu Foundation pilots achieving 35-42% success uplifts, position gender-inclusive youth entrepreneurship as Nigeria's pathway to harness its 70 million-strong demographic dividend toward SDG 5 and SDG 8 attainment by 2030. Cross-sectional limitations necessitate future longitudinal validation