Military Culture and Social Change on Women Seclusion in Lagos Barracks, Nigeria, 1905 – 1999

This article considers the interaction of military culture, religious practices, and social change on women seclusion in Lagos Barracks. It identifies that some of the activities and religious observances of these women have been affected by military culture and social change, hence, the transformation from strict seclusion to partial seclusion in the system. Drawing on primary and secondary sources, as well as participant observation, this study found that the involvement of secluded women in the economy and social life of the barracks is symptomatic of the fact that their condition was no longer a barrier. The paper establishes that social change in the organization has contributed significantly to the incorporation of women into their husbands’ career, women’s associations, charity and humanitarian activities of the barracks. It further reveals that the cross-cultural mix would continue to modernize societies and military life would not be an exception. Therefore this article concludes that the government’s assistance to this group in the area of empowerment, and loan acquisition, will go a long way in making them self-reliant and also strengthen their social impact