Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p> Structural transformation is reshaping labour markets across sub-Saharan Africa, yet evidence on how gendered sectoral employment influences household resilience and food security remains limited. This study examines the association between sectoral employment, household resilience, and food security in Nigeria using four waves (2010, 2012, 2015, and 2018) of the nationally representative Living Standards Measurement Study–Integrated Surveys on Agriculture (LSMS–ISA). Household resilience is conceptualised as a multidimensional construct comprising absorptive, adaptive, and transformative capacities. Descriptive statistics, two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and mixed-effects regression models are employed to examine gender and regional disparities and estimate the relationship between sectoral employment and resilience. The results reveal persistent gender segmentation in labour markets, with female-headed households concentrated in low-productivity agricultural and informal sectors. However, women employed in formal service sectors, particularly education, health, and public administration, exhibit significantly higher levels of household resilience and food security. Marked regional disparities are also observed, with households in southern Nigeria demonstrating stronger resilience than those in the northern regions. Overall, employment in higher-productivity non-agricultural sectors is positively associated with improved resilience and food security. The findings highlight the need for gender-responsive labour market policies, investments in education and skills development, and expanded access to productive assets to promote inclusive structural transformation and strengthen household resilience in Nigeria. <italic>JEL Classification: J16; J21; J43; O15.</italic> </p>