“Trailblazers, Barriers, and Breakthroughs in Nigeria’s Democratic Journey”
Introduction
The story of women in Nigerian politics is a journey of resilience, gradual progress, and persistent challenges. From the first post-independence elections in 1960 to today’s democratic dispensation, Nigerian women have fought for political visibility, representation, and influence. While there have been significant achievements, women remain underrepresented in governance despite constituting nearly half of the population. Understanding this journey helps reveal the social, cultural, and political forces shaping Nigeria’s democracy.
Background: Women and Politics Before Independence
Before Nigeria gained independence in 1960, women were already politically active, especially in resisting colonial policies. Leaders like Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti mobilized women against unfair taxation and advocated for women’s suffrage. In the pre-colonial era, women held political roles in various kingdoms, the Yoruba Iyalode, the Igbo Omu, and the Hausa Magajiya wielded significant authority in governance and decision-making. However, colonial rule introduced a patriarchal political system that marginalized women from formal politics.
By the late 1940s and 1950s, women’s organizations such as the Nigerian Women’s Union and market women’s associations were instrumental in the nationalist movement. Yet, despite their activism, the 1954 and 1959 elections leading to independence had extremely low female participation in political office.
Early Independence Era (1960–1979)
At independence in 1960, Nigerian politics was dominated by male leaders, and women’s representation was minimal. The first republic saw only a handful of women enter regional legislatures. The political climate of the time, driven by ethnic party politics and conservative gender norms ,offered limited space for women in governance.
One of the few early female political trailblazers was Wuraola Esan, who became the first woman to enter the Nigerian Senate in 1960. Still, women’s roles in politics remained largely supportive, confined to mobilizing voters, fundraising, and rally organization rather than holding key leadership positions.
Military coups from 1966 to 1979 disrupted democratic governance, but women remained engaged through activism, civil service, and social movements, laying the groundwork for their later political participation.
Second Republic and the 1980s (1979–1983)
The return to civilian rule in 1979 under President Shehu Shagari’s government created new opportunities for women, though representation remained low. Women such as Janet Akinrinade and Francesca Emmanuel emerged as influential voices in politics and public administration.
During this era, women’s groups became more organized in pushing for gender equality in political representation. The National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS) and other advocacy bodies campaigned for policies to improve women’s political inclusion. However, the Second Republic was short-lived, ending with the 1983 coup.
Women in the Military Era (1983–1999)
Although military governments were generally undemocratic, they appointed some women to ministerial positions and public offices. Figures like Kema Chikwe and Florence Ita-Giwa rose to national prominence, using their positions to advocate for women’s issues.
In 1987, history was made when Kolawole Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele became Lagos State’s deputy governor , one of the highest political positions held by a woman in Nigeria up to that point. Women’s activism also intensified during the military years, especially in the 1990s, with organizations like Women in Nigeria (WIN) demanding democratic reforms and gender equity.
The Beijing Conference of 1995 was a turning point, as Nigeria committed to increasing women’s participation in politics. This global influence helped inspire new advocacy efforts leading up to the return to democracy in 1999.
Fourth Republic: New Democratic Era (1999–2015)
With the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1999, Nigeria’s political landscape opened up for greater female participation. Women like Sarah Jibril, the first woman to run for president in 1992 (and later in 1999 and 2003), paved the way for more female candidacies.
Key milestones included:
Patricia Etteh becoming the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2007.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala serving twice as Minister of Finance (2003–2006, 2011–2015) and shaping Nigeria’s economic reforms.
Oby Ezekwesili leading transparency reforms as Minister of Education and co-founding the Bring Back Our Girls movement.
Stella Oduah and Diezani Alison-Madueke holding influential ministerial positions in aviation and petroleum sectors respectively.
Despite these achievements, the proportion of women in the National Assembly rarely exceeded 7%, far below the 35% affirmative action target recommended by the Beijing Platform.
Women in Nigerian Politics Today (2015–2023)
Recent years have seen both progress and setbacks. Women such as Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan (“Mama Taraba”) contested governorship elections, while Senator Remi Tinubu and Uche Ekwunife became strong voices in the Senate. Pauline Tallen served as Minister of Women Affairs, advocating for gender-friendly laws.
However, the 2019 and 2023 elections recorded historically low female representation in the National Assembly , only about 4% of lawmakers were women. This decline is attributed to political violence, high campaign costs, cultural biases, and weak enforcement of affirmative action policies.
Barriers to Women’s Political Participation
Several factors have consistently hindered women’s political progress:
Patriarchal culture and gender stereotypes limiting women to domestic roles.
Political violence and intimidation, which discourage female candidates.
Economic barriers, as campaign financing heavily favors wealthy male politicians.
Weak party support, with major parties often fielding women in less competitive constituencies.
Low media visibility and gender-biased coverage.
Why Women’s Political Participation Matters
The underrepresentation of women in Nigerian politics is not just a gender issue but a democratic one. Greater female participation leads to:
More inclusive policymaking that addresses health, education, and social welfare.
Stronger representation of women’s interests in governance.
Enhanced national development through diverse leadership perspectives.
Studies across Africa show that governments with higher female representation are more transparent, socially responsive, and equitable.
Notable Women in Nigerian Politics: A Quick Roll Call
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti – Pre-independence activist and political leader.
Wuraola Esan – First female Nigerian senator (1960).
Margaret Ekpo – Nationalist and advocate for women’s rights.
Patricia Etteh – First female Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala – Former Minister of Finance, now WTO Director-General.
Aisha Jummai Al-Hassan – First female governorship candidate in Taraba State.
Remi Tinubu – Influential senator and women’s rights advocate.
Oby Ezekwesili – Education reformer and activist.
Conclusion
From independence to today, Nigerian women have made remarkable strides in politics despite systemic challenges. While pioneers like Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Wuraola Esan laid the foundation, contemporary leaders continue to break barriers. However, women’s representation in governance remains far below desired levels, signaling the need for stronger policies, cultural shifts, and sustained advocacy.
The future of Nigeria’s democracy depends on the active inclusion of women in politics. Achieving gender balance in governance is not just a matter of fairness , it is essential for building a just, representative, and progressive nation.
