The Impact of Foreign Aid on Female Human Capital Formation in Nigeria

Abstract

The impact of foreign aid on the female gender has remained a subject of debate among Scholars. While some Scholars asserts it positive contribution to the female gender, Pickbourn and Ndikumana, (2016) and Swain, Garikipati, and Wallentin, (2020) observe that its impact is dependent on other factors. This study explores the impact of foreign aid on female human capital formation in Nigeria. The study adopts the survey research method, using a random sample size of 240 females engaged in five sectors; academia (senior lecturers), medical profession (doctors and nurses), entrepreneurs (business owners), students (secondary/tertiary) and those in politics and governance. This study is hinged on the theory of liberal feminism and post-gender theories. Our findings show that there is no significant impact of foreign aid on female human capital formation in Nigeria due to the inadequate attention given to sectoral allocation of foreign aids by the State and non-State actors. This research concludes that the impact of foreign aid on female human capital is not significant in Nigeria. It recommends that foreign aid should be sector specific in order to enhance measurement of the attainment of objectives. The disbursement process should be made more transparent and donor agencies must work with state actors (Ministry of Women Affairs) to ensure capacity building, effective management of funds, proper coordination and monitoring.