This paper highlights how investing in the care economy, a crucial yet often ignored part of society can make a real difference in reducing income inequality in Nigeria. The care economy is made up of all the everyday work both paid and unpaid that helps families and communities thrive. It is the quiet constant effort of looking after children, tending to elderly parents, providing health support, and managing daily household needs. This work is the backbone of society, yet it’s often taken for granted. The care economy rarely shows up in national budgets or policy plans, and when included, is usually underfunded and undervalued. The people, mostly women, who do this vital work are too often overlooked, even though their efforts keep everything else running. In Nigeria, income inequality is made worse by deep gender gaps in the workforce. Women and girls carry the bulk of unpaid care responsibilities, which limits their chances to work, earn, and advance economically. This imbalance reinforces broader social and economic inequalities. Attempts were made to argue that meaningful investment in care infrastructure such as childcare centres, eldercare homes, and healthcare facilities along with better pay and training for care workers, can drive real change. Such investment not only creates jobs, especially for women, but also frees up time for caregivers to pursue education, work, or entrepreneurship. The impact of investing in care work creates a ripple effect fostering more inclusive economic growth and advancing gender equality. When care is recognised as real, valuable work, and when governments back it with proper funding and supportive policies, the benefits extend to everyone. This holds especially true for Nigeria, where the need for meaningful change is both urgent and far-reaching. The paper ends with practical recommendations for Nigerian policymakers to better support caregivers and invest in systems that make care work visible, valued, and sustainable. By doing so, the country can make serious progress toward a fairer, more equal future.

Keywords: Care economy, job creation, inequality, poverty, economic growth

JEL classification: I11, I28, I14, I38, J78, I32