This paper explores the status of women and fertility using data from the Nigeria Fertility Survey (1981-1982) and from a survey conducted in the Cross River State, on a sample of 500 secondary school students interviewed by questionnaires. Higher levels of education attained by women tend to be associated with lowered fertility, particularly when the level of education attained is up to or secondary school level. In the same way women who participate in paid employment outside the home tend to have lower fertility than those engaged in agriculture, cottage industry and domestic chores, more so when employment is acting in combination with high educational attainment and provide women with alternatives to continuous childbearing. It also appears that poor women marry earlier and have a higher rate of fertility than others, and that women's participation in public life and decision making, or women's visibility in society, directly helps in lowering fertility and upgrading status of women. Unfortunately the current situation in Nigeria shows that for education, as well as employment and representation in the public life of the nation, overall women's status is still very low. Thence the continuing high plateau of birth rates and ever expanding population of the country. This situation is said to call for state action. To improve the status of women and enhance the prospect for lowered fertility, women's education needs to be quantitatively and qualitatively improved, prospects for women's employment should be increased to harness the capabilities of the female population. A well articulated population policy should be made which takes into consideration the inhibiting effect of continuous childbearing on the individual woman and on Nigerian society.