Abstract:

This study examines how women in Nigeria creatively appropriate spiritual resources and African values to negotiate contemporary challenges of unemployment. In particular, it explores how women draw on spiritual resources to challenge the status quo and how African values are used to enhance employability and job creation. Through qualitative case studies of three female entrepreneurs in Nigerian cities, this paper aims to reveal how spiritual resources such as prayer, meditation, and rituals can generate positive energy and a sense of self-confidence. Similarly, traditional values such as hard work, determination, and resilience are examined as drivers that help women develop the skills and resources necessary not only to gain meaningful employment but also to create employment. The study hypothesises that the effective deployment of spiritual resources and African values is an important way for Nigerian women to gain an economic foothold in an increasingly precarious job market. Moreover, the paper underscores the importance of reframing the concept of unemployment to understand the issue's gendered implications and create inclusive solutions to the problem.