DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sjahss.2025.v13i12.008

Pages: 588-595

Nigeria's socio-political environment is significantly influenced by identity politics, especially within the context of development. This article utilizes a feminist theoretical lens to examine how identity politics and development intersect in Nigeria. Nigeria's political dynamics have always been impacted by the country's diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural identities, which frequently intersect. Feminist theory provides a distinctive viewpoint by highlighting how these identities interact with gender, influencing women's roles and contributions to development. The central objective of this research is to analyse how gender stereotypes and patriarchal traditions exacerbate the exclusion of women from key areas such as resource allocation, education, and decision-making processes. Relying on the secondary sources of data, the paper found that diverse identities overlap and suppress women. This marginalization not only hinders women's empowerment but also undermines broader national development goals. By recognizing the intersections of gender, ethnicity, and class, feminist theory advocates for more inclusive policies that address these complex challenges. The theoretical framework is rooted in feminist analysis, which underscores the importance of acknowledging and amplifying women's experiences and voices. This approach reveals how entrenched patriarchal norms limit women's agency, yet also uncovers the significant contributions of Nigerian women to grassroots movements advocating for social justice and economic transformation. These movements demonstrate the potential for inclusive identity politics to drive sustainable development. The discoveries in this study reveal that while structural barriers persist, Nigerian women have not relented in fighting for equality and promoting development at the grassroots level. However, their efforts are often overlooked or underutilized in formal policy-making processes. The article recommends that policymakers integra