Margaret Ekpo stands as one of the most influential figures in Nigeria’s political history. At a time when women were largely excluded from formal governance, she built grassroots structures that transformed ordinary market women into politically conscious participants. Her life was not simply about occupying office. It was about organizing, educating, and proving that women belonged in the rooms where decisions were made.
Early Life and Education
Margaret Ekpo was born on July 27, 1914, in Creek Town in present day Cross River State, Nigeria. She received her early education in Nigeria and trained as a teacher, a profession that shaped her discipline and commitment to community development.
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In pursuit of further education, she traveled to Ireland where she studied domestic science at Rathmines School of Domestic Economy in Dublin. This international exposure broadened her worldview and deepened her understanding of civic responsibility and structured organization. Upon her return to Nigeria, she married Dr. John Udo Ekpo, a physician whose political involvement introduced her to nationalist conversations during colonial rule.
Political Awakening in Colonial Nigeria
Margaret Ekpo’s political journey began in the 1940s, during a period of constitutional reforms under British colonial administration. Political participation was restricted and heavily male dominated. Women had limited opportunities to engage formally in governance despite their economic influence, particularly in trading hubs such as Aba.
Recognizing this imbalance, Ekpo began mobilizing market women in Aba. She organized them into structured associations that served not only as economic collectives but also as platforms for civic education. Through meetings and coordinated action, these women learned about political processes, representation, and their emerging rights within the changing constitutional framework.
Her activism aligned with the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons, one of the leading nationalist parties advocating self governance. Through this affiliation, she strengthened women’s participation in mainstream politics rather than creating a parallel movement detached from national reforms.
Mobilizing Women for Political Participation
Margaret Ekpo’s most enduring contribution lies in her grassroots mobilization of women in Eastern Nigeria. During the 1950s, constitutional reforms gradually expanded suffrage in the region. Ekpo ensured that women were prepared to exercise these rights effectively.
She encouraged women to register to vote and to understand the implications of political choices. Her leadership transformed the Aba Women’s Association into a civic force that demonstrated the collective power of organized women. Rather than remaining symbolic beneficiaries of reform, women in the Eastern Region became visible political participants.
Her strategy was practical and inclusive. She spoke in accessible language, engaged traders directly in marketplaces, and connected political awareness to everyday concerns such as taxation, infrastructure, and social welfare. By doing so, she bridged the gap between formal politics and daily life.
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Legislative Career and Representation
In 1961, Margaret Ekpo was elected to the Eastern Regional House of Assembly, representing Aba Urban. Her election marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s democratic development. At a time when female legislators were rare, her presence in the Assembly signaled a shift toward broader representation.
As a legislator, she consistently advocated for greater inclusion of women in political processes. She supported initiatives aimed at improving education for girls and enhancing social welfare policies. Her advocacy for women’s empowerment and community development was widely recognized within the Assembly.
Her service coincided with Nigeria’s early independence period following independence in 1960. The optimism of nation building was soon challenged by political instability, culminating in the 1966 military coup that disrupted democratic governance and ended the First Republic. Like many civilian politicians of her era, her formal political career was curtailed by military rule.
Legacy and National Recognition
Margaret Ekpo’s legacy endures far beyond her years in office. She is remembered as a pioneer who normalized women’s participation in electoral politics in Eastern Nigeria. Her grassroots model of mobilization laid foundations for future generations of female leaders.
In recognition of her contributions, the Margaret Ekpo International Airport in Calabar was named in her honor. This national recognition affirms her status as one of Nigeria’s foremost advocates of women’s political engagement.
She is often mentioned alongside other notable women activists such as Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, who also championed women’s rights during the colonial era. Together, these women expanded the political imagination of what Nigerian women could achieve.
Why Margaret Ekpo Still Matters
Margaret Ekpo’s story remains relevant in conversations about representation and inclusive governance. She demonstrated that political empowerment begins with organization. By transforming market associations into civic platforms, she built a structure that allowed women to move from economic participation into political influence.
Her life illustrates that leadership is not merely about holding office. It is about preparing communities to engage with power confidently and collectively. She showed that lasting change comes when ordinary citizens understand their rights and are equipped to act on them.
Author’s Note
Margaret Ekpo’s journey reflects the power of grassroots mobilization and civic education. From organizing market women in Aba to serving in the Eastern Regional House of Assembly, she helped reshape women’s participation in Nigerian politics. Her legacy is rooted in courage, structure, and community driven leadership. The central lesson from her life is clear. When people are organized and informed, they can influence governance and secure their place in history.
References
National Archives of Nigeria records on Eastern Regional politics
Eastern Regional House of Assembly proceedings, 1961
National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons historical documents
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria historical records
Scholarly works on women’s political participation in colonial and post colonial Nigeria
