Academy of Entrepreneurship Journal Volume 26, Issue 1, 2020 1 1528-2686-26-1-318 EMPOWERING WOMEN THROUGH MICRO FINANCE: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM IBADAN, OYO STATE, NIGERIA Funso Abiodun Okunlola, Covenant University Abiola Babajide, Covenant University Areghan Isibor, Covenant University ABSTRACT 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. Keywords: Microfinance, Micro Finance Bank, Empowerment, Economic Empowerment, Social Empowerment. INTRODUCTION Women have been the subject of poverty in most developing economies, especially that of Africa. This misnomer, though, globally entrenched, is prevalent within the Africa settings owing to traditional fundamentals. Traditionally, there are limits to which she can own, acquire or even aspire. In order words, they (women) are often subjected to discriminations economically, socially and financially thereby preventing them access to basic life aspirations. And like in the case of feminist movement in Europe around 18 th century, and that of the United Nations human rights charter in 1948, where the rights of women were proclaimed; African countries and indeed Nigeria had formulated policies at alleviating poverty and empowering women (Babajide, 2011a, b, Awojobi, 2014; Okemakinde, 2014; Ovute et al., 2015; Ayevbuomwan et al., 2016; Ozoya et al., 2017; Oshinoowo & Olayide, 2017; Ali & Zakuan 2018). A quick glimpse at this, traced poverty alleviation and women empowerment programmes in Nigeria to the establishment of Peoples Bank and Community Bank between 1985 to 1993