Chief Margaret Ekpo was a pioneering Nigerian women’s rights activist, social mobiliser, and politician whose work during the colonial era and the First Republic transformed the role of women in civic life. Born in 1914, she organised women beyond ethnic lines, brought economic and political issues into the public sphere, and became one of the first women elected to public office in Nigeria. Her legacy endures in both institutions and national memory.
Early Life and Family Influences
Margaret Ekpo was born on 27 July 1914 in Creek Town, then part of the British Nigeria Protectorate, now Cross River State. Her father, Okoroafor Obiasulor, was from Agulu-Uzo-Igbo in Anambra State, and her mother, Inyang Eyo Aniemewue, belonged to the royal family of King Eyo Honesty II of Creek Town.
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She completed her Standard Six School Leaving Certificate in 1934, but the death of her father interrupted further formal education. To support herself, she became a pupil teacher, gaining experience working with young people and building confidence in public engagement.
In 1938, she married Dr John Udo Ekpo, a medical doctor of the Ibibio ethnic group, and settled in Aba, Eastern Nigeria.
Education and Early Empowerment Work
In 1946, Ekpo studied at what is now the Dublin Institute of Technology in Ireland, earning a diploma in domestic science. Upon returning to Nigeria, she established a Domestic Science and Sewing Institute in Aba, teaching girls and young women practical skills in dressmaking and home economics. These skills helped women expand their economic independence and influence in society.
Political Awakening and Organising Women
Margaret Ekpo’s political journey began through community involvement and exposure to nationalist discourse in the 1940s. She accompanied her husband to meetings he could not attend due to his civil service position and became inspired by discussions about colonial discrimination and Nigerian self-government.
By the end of the decade, she had organised a Market Women Association in Aba, uniting women traders and market women into a collective voice. The group protected economic interests and advocated for greater civic rights and representation.
Rise in Politics and Legislative Service
Ekpo joined the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC). In 1959, she was nominated as a special member of the Eastern Nigeria House of Chiefs, breaking new ground for women in traditional political structures.
In 1961, she was elected to the Eastern Regional House of Assembly, advocating for women’s issues, including access to economic opportunities and improvements to infrastructure that affected women’s daily lives.
Commitment to National and Women’s Issues
During her political career, Ekpo encouraged women’s participation in civic life, working with women’s groups throughout the Eastern Region. Her leadership opened political spaces that had traditionally excluded women and inspired future generations of female politicians.
Challenges During the Civil War
Margaret Ekpo’s political career was interrupted by the Nigerian Civil War in 1967. She was detained by Biafran authorities for three years under harsh conditions. Her resilience during this time demonstrated her unwavering commitment to her principles.
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Legacy and National Recognition
After Nigeria transitioned away from the First Republic, Ekpo stepped back from frontline politics. In 2001, the Calabar Airport was renamed Margaret Ekpo International Airport in her honour, recognising her decades of activism and public service. She passed away on 21 September 2006 in Calabar at the age of 92.
Author’s Note
Margaret Ekpo’s life is a testament to how determination, courage, and strategic mobilisation can transform societies. From her early days as a teacher to her role as a grassroots organiser and legislator, Ekpo challenged social norms that restricted women’s voices and created pathways for women in politics and public life. Her legacy is alive wherever women claim their space in civic affairs, offering a blueprint of resilience and inclusive leadership for current and future generations.
References
Deutsche Welle Margaret Ekpo, pioneering feminism in Nigeria
Independent Newspaper Nigeria Margaret Ekpo
