WOMEN IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF NSUKKA TOWN FROM 1960 TO 1966

Abstract Nsukka is a town whose impact in the national Gross Domestic Product is heavily felt in the national economy. The town is noted for hosting the popular Ogige Market and also serves as one of the host communities of the famous University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the first indigeneous university of Nigeria. Hence, Nsukka was the economic capital of the Old Nsukka Division of the colonial era and has continued to become the economic capital of the present Enugu North Senatorial Zone. However, continuous narratives of Nsukka’s economy tend to overlook the numerous roles played by women in the economic development of Nsukka especially within the period of 1960-1966. This study therefore, is an investigation into the role of women in the economic development of Nsukka town from 1960-1966. The study analysed the impact of the establishment of UNN in 1960 and the role of women in the buildup of the institution, the consolidation of Ogige Market which is the economic hub of Nsukka town and other numerous endeavours like clerical services, food vendour, financial cooperatives, constructions, agricultural production and so on that women participated in to sustain the town’s economy at the specified timeframe. The study, through the examination of the important roles the women played in the economy of Nsukka town at the specified time, contributes in lending voice to the importance of women in economic development which has continued to be downplayed in African historiography.