Existentialist Feminism and Gender Relationships in Nigeria: A Critical Examination

Abstract

This paper critically explores the application of existentialist feminism, particularly the ideas of Simone de Beauvoir as articulated in The Second Sex, to the analysis of gender relationships in contemporary Nigeria. Existentialist feminism posits that gender is not a fixed biological destiny but a socially constructed identity, shaped by lived experiences, cultural norms, and systemic power dynamics. Drawing from Beauvoir’s central thesis— “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman”—this study interrogates how Nigerian socio-cultural structures continue to produce and perpetuate gender roles that confine women to states of immanence, while privileging men with transcendence and agency. In Nigeria, traditional and religious ideologies remain deeply entrenched, contributing to the reification of patriarchal norms and the marginalization of women across socio-economic and political spheres. Through a combination of philosophical inquiry and socio-anthropological analysis, this paper examines how existentialist feminism can offer a framework for understanding the historical and ongoing objectification of Nigerian women as the “Other,” particularly in marriage, education, labor, and leadership. The study investigates how these dynamics manifest in gendered expectations, legal systems, and public discourse, often reinforcing male dominance while limiting women’s freedom and self-realization. By situating existentialist feminism within the Nigerian context, this paper highlights both the universality and the limitations of Beauvoir’s framework, arguing for a culturally specific feminist praxis that addresses intersectional concerns such as colonial legacies, class, and religion. Furthermore, it critiques the ways in which Nigerian feminism has evolved, often negotiating between Western feminist ideals and indigenous realities, and explores how existentialist thought can deepen the discourse on agency, subjectivity, and liberation for Nigerian women. Ultimately, this work contributes to feminist philosophy and African gender studies by demonstrating the relevance of existentialist feminism in deconstructing oppressive gender systems and envisioning emancipatory possibilities for equitable gender relationships in Nigeria.