Author(s): Funso Abiodun Okunlola, Abiola Babajide, Areghan Isibor
In an attempt at validating the notion of whether women access to microfinance enhances their empowerment necessitated this study. Mainly, it focuses on three dimensions of empowerment: access to microfinance, economic empowerment and social empowerment among women in Ibadan metropolis of Oyo state, Nigeria. Ability to gain entrance to micro finance Bank’s (MFB) products mirrored access to the institution; economic empowerment is mirrored by income, asset ownership, investment and productivity. Social empowerment also mirrored women self-confidence, decision making, authority and discrimination; while credit is used as proxied for Micro finance bank. The study sampling of two hundred and fifty (250) was determined using the purposive non-probability sampling. This was analyzed using the Pearson (r) correlation analysis technique to test the level of association with 0.05 percent level of significance. The statistical packages for Social Sciences (SPSS v23) served as the tool of estimation. Results validates the inquisition earlier insinuated that women access to microfinancethrough credit by MFB’s empowers them economically and socially. The study however recommended concerted efforts at creating massive awareness of the benefits of Microfinance Banks for the purpose of women empowerment and ultimate state and national growth.