iarjhssIARJHSSIARJHSS2708-6267https://doi.org/10.47310/iarjhss.2020.v01i01.004An Islamic Approach on Women in Public LifeJabirSaniMaihulaSokoto State University, Sokoto, NigeriaIn northern Nigeria, several years ago, women remain disadvantaged in many areas of life. Including education, empowerment, health and civil rights. Gradually, some of the changes appeared in the picture which has greatly improved their lives and status in the religion, particularly the social, economic and political status. Globally, the issue of women marginalisation and low participation in political leadership and decision making have been attracting a lot of attention from scholars. Although, women and men have different biological and physiological make-up, women may share common features with men in terms of educational qualifications, socio-economic status disparity using both historical and descriptive approaches and guided by patriarchy and liberal feminism theories. Yet, religious interpretations shape gender conceptions and equally create space for sustained diminution of women’s participation in public sphere, especially in politics. Nevertheless, some of these religious texts and dogma have, particularly in recent times, become highly contested and certain portions of holy books fuel popular narratives regarding women’s submission to men. However, the sustenance of patriarchy, mainly through religious fundamentalism still significantly influences the persistence of unequal gender relations. This reinforces the claim that religious interpretations are the social instruments through which cultural norms, values, ideals, and aspirations are transmitted into public space. The paper concludes that patriarchy, religious interpretations and fundamentalisms, rather than religion are the bane of effective participation of northern women in public. The paper recommends that northern women who are nationally patriotic have the ability and capability to contribute their quota in Nigeria’s development.