INTRODUCTION:
It was the former president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Genetal Babangida (Kurubo, 1993). It is therefore, no over statement to assert that women play very salient roles in national development. A timely question at this junction is what is national development? National development is usually defined principally in terms of economic growth (Redclift 1987). However, for the purpose of this discourse, national development (I,e the physical, political, infrastructural, etc resource) for the betterment of citizens (Bassey, 1985). In other words, it is a more towards the creation of an enabling environment for the people to enjoy long, healthy and creative lives. (Amanda 1998, Ofuebe 1998:85). This chapter, therefore is an attempt to elucidate the role women play in order to move towards the optimization to resources for the betterment of Nigerians.
The thinking in many quarter in the past decades is that the role of the Nigerian women states and ends in the maternity. Hence, average Nigeria women was socialized to believe and accept the above assertion. This pathetic scenario has undergone visible mutation overtime. This was granted impetus by the growth of National movements and the process of de-colonization as more and more women were exposed to civic and National responsibilities.
The changing role of the Nigeria women in National development can be explained by the fact changes in development brings about social restructuring and changes in human role (Kurubo 1993). A brief look at the different stages of the unfolding scenario of women participation in national development starting from pre-colonial era to data might make the picture dearer.