ISSN 2756-3375
African Journal of Gender and Women Studies | Vol. 11, No. 4, April 2026 | pp. 17–24
DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJGWS/000103
Research Article
Title: Glass Ceilings in Academic Medicine: Tracing Career Progression Barriers Among Female Physicians and Surgeons in Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria
Names of Authors: Ngozi Ekwueme¹, Fatima Bello², Zainab Mohamed³
Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria; ²Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; ³School of Business and Economics, Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya
Abstract: Despite increasing enrollment of women in medical schools across West Africa, leadership positions within academic medicine and surgical specialties remain heavily male-dominated. This institutional study examines the structural, cultural, and interpersonal barriers hindering the career advancement of female medical doctors and consultants in four major Nigerian teaching hospitals. A cross-sectional survey design captured data from n = 240 female medical specialists, supplemented by in-depth key informant interviews with 15 senior professors. Findings indicate that 64.5% of respondents encountered overt or covert gender bias during departmental promotion evaluations, and 82.1% reported a total absence of institutional mentorship programs. Time allocation metrics revealed a stark domestic-professional conflict, with female surgeons dedicating an average of 21.8 ± 3.4 hours weekly to unpaid household labor compared to 6.2 ± 1.5 hours by male peers (F = 14.82, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, implicit bias in grant-awarding committees reduced research productivity metrics for women by nearly 30%. The study argues for comprehensive institutional restructuring, including transparent meritocratic promotion criteria, mandatory anti-bias training, and structured parental leave support within medical academia.
Keywords: Academic medicine, career progression, gender bias, glass ceiling, work-life balance, Nigeria
Manuscript Timeline: Received: 05 December 2025; Revised: 12 March 2026; Accepted: 25 March 2026; Published: 01 April 2026
Citation: Ekwueme, N., Bello, F., & Mohamed, Z. (2026). Glass Ceilings in Academic Medicine: Tracing Career Progression Barriers Among Female Physicians and Surgeons in Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria. African Journal of Gender and Women Studies, 11(4), 17–24.
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