Abstract

This study explores gender inequality within the Nigerian construction sector through the perspectives of Nigerian postgraduate students studying in the UK. Whilst prior studies have documented persistent gender disparities in construction globally, including underrepresentation, unequal career progression, and workplace discrimination, there remains limited understanding of how these inequalities are interpreted and reproduced through lived experiences across transnational contexts. It draws upon on Joan Acker’s (Theory of Gendered Organizations’) notion of ‘gendered organisations’, literature review and narrative interviews to interrogate the data. Findings reveal that discrimination; culture; working conditions; abuse, harassment; family commitment; and career development were some of the major challenges faced by women. Findings also reveals that Nigeria's gender equality policies, while well documented in frameworks like the National Gender Policy (2021 - 2026), have not produced the transformative impact intended. Persistent gaps in implementation, weak enforcement and entrenched socio-cultural barriers mean that progress remains limited despite formal commitments. This study, therefore, suggests that policy interventions should adopt an intersectionality approach, recognising that gender inequality is shaped by the interaction of organisational practices and socio-cultural expectations.