This paper reassesses the nexus between female education, employment andfertility in Nigeria. The four Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) that havebeen conducted in the country (1990–2008) were analysed. Between 1990 and2008, the educational status of women improved appreciably and the proportionof illiterate women in the country declined from 57.2 to 35.8 per cent.Multivariate analysis suggests that female education was inversely related to theindicators of fertility (P<0.01). The association between working away fromhome and fertility indicators was negative in the pooled data (P<0.01), but thisassociation was mixed in separate surveys. Self- employment manifested apositive relationship with the indicators of fertility (P<0.01). Female educationremains a valid channel through which a sustainable fertility decline can beachieved in the country. A vigorous drive to promote female education in all partsof the country is recommended. Girl child education in the north should bestressed.