Purpose – Female resource represents about half of Nigeria's human resources. For optimal utilization of human resources, gender equality and equity, it was considered that women should be adequately represented in the construction industry which is the prime motivator of the country's economy. A survey was, therefore, conducted to know the level of participation of women in some selected categories of workforce in the industry. Design/methodology/approach – The research was designed to generate quantitative data on women participation in the construction industry in Nigeria. Data were, therefore, collected from medium and large construction contracting companies on the male/female numerical strength in some selected categories of workforce, the suitability of some construction tasks for women and constraints to female entry into the construction industry using questionnaires, interviews and visits to construction sites. Findings – The survey revealed that only 16.3 per cent of the sampled companies' workforces were women. Approximately, 50 per cent of these women were employed as labourers, 37.5 per cent as administrative staff, 10 per cent as management staff and 2.5 per cent as craftswomen. Paired t-test performed on the male/female numerical strength showed that women were underrepresented in the construction industry in Nigeria. The survey also indicated that women preferred office related construction processes to site production. Originality/value – Findings in this field survey represent the unbiased level of women's participation in Nigeria's construction industry and the data are useful for policy formulation in relation to mainstreaming female into the construction industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]