SEXUAL CAPITAL AND THE PURSUIT OF FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE AMONG FEMALE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

This literature review examines the intersection of sexual capital and the pursuit of financial independence among female undergraduate students at the University of Lagos. Drawing on theories of gendered power relations, social exchange, and neoliberal selfenterprise, existing studies suggest that young women increasingly leverage aspects of sexual capital such as attractiveness, desirability, and social visibility to access financial resources and socioeconomic opportunities. Literature from African and global contexts highlights how economic precarity, rising educational costs, and limited employment options shape students’ engagement in transactional relationships and image-based selfpresentation. While some scholars argue that these practices provide agency, autonomy, and short-term financial relief, others emphasize the risks of exploitation, stigma, and the reinforcement of patriarchal norms. This review synthesizes these perspectives to illuminate the complex motivations and consequences surrounding sexual capital as a strategy for achieving financial independence, identifying gaps for further empirical research within Nigerian higher-education settings.