Women’s participation in Nigerian politics is very important, however, most of the times, women are relegated to the background, as floor members and cheerleaders. Amazingly, in the pre-colonial era, women have been an important part of our political set up. For example, we have Queen Amina of Zaria in the 11th century who made Zaria a prominent Commercial Centre through her strength. Also, Moremi of Ife, Emotan of Benin, Omu Okwei of Ossomari, great amazons who displayed wonderful bravery and strength in the politics and commercial scenes.
Here are a few other Nigerian Women who have represented the female folk in Nigerian Politics.
Margaret Affiong Ekpo. Photo: Wikipedia.
The First Political Activist in Nigeria is Mrs. Magaret Ekpo.
In the First Republic, born in Calabar, Cross River State, she was a traditional political activist, both as a grassroots politician and a nationalist. She fought for the civil rights of women and led Aba women to vote. She is recognized as an Icon of Nigerian Politics.
The First Deputy Governor in Nigeria is Mrs. L. Okunnu.
Lateefah Modupeola Okunnu is an educationist and a civil servant. She was appointed in 1990, to be the Deputy Governor of La
Photo: Authorityngr.com
The First Female Governor in Nigeria is Lady Virginia Etiaba of Anambra State.
First, she was a Commissioner for the state, later, she became a Deputy Governor. After the impeachment of Peter Obi as the Anambra State Governor, she became the first female governor of the state from November 2006 to February 2007. She transferred her powers back to Obi after the appeal court nullified the impeachment.
The First Female Senator in Nigeria is Mrs. Wuraola Esan (appointed)
Wuraola Esan was the first woman to break cultural protocols and become the first female senator in the first republic. She entered the political scene in 1950 and became a nominated senator from Ibadan West as she became the first ever female member of Nigerian National Assembly.
Diezani Allison-Madueke. Photo: 36NG
The First Female Minister of Petroleum in Nigeria is Diezani Allison-Madueke
Born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke was the first Female minister to head the Petroleum Ministry. She was also the first female Minister of Transportation. She studied architecture in England and then at Howard University in the United States and she got her MBA from Cambridge University.
The First Female ‘Elected’ Senator in Nigeria is Franca Afegbua
Senator Franca Afegbua who represented the former Bendel State of Nigeria was the first Female Elected Senator during the second republic 1979-1983. The two other female senators before her were appointed in 1960.
The First Female Permanent Secretary in Nigeria is Chief (Mrs.) Francesca Emmanuel.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Photo: Wikipedia
The First Female Finance Minister in Nigeria is Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo – Iweala
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is an economist and Nigeria’s first female minister of Finance. She served two terms as Finance Minister of Nigeria and was previously Managing Director of the World Bank.
The First Female Gubernatorial Aspirant in Nigeria is Alhaja Basirat Nahibi.
Alhaja Basirat Nahibi. Photo: Google Sites
Alhaja Basirat Nahibi is a multimillionaire businesswoman and owns al-Bashir Interior Decors in Abuja. She’s still involved in politics.
The First Female Cabinet Minister in Nigeria is Chief (Mrs.) Ebun Oyegbola
The First female Speaker of a House of Assembly in Nigeria is Hon. Margaret Icheen
Patricia Olubunmi Foluke Etteh. Photo AIT
The First Female Speaker of the House of Representatives is Rt. Hon. Patricia Olubunmi Foluke Etteh.
Etteh was initially elected in 1999 as an Alliance for Democracy (AD) member but switched to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) when running for re-election in 2003. She was elected to the position of speaker unanimously in June 2007 and is the only woman to have held this position in the Nigerian government
Sarah Jubril. Photo: Sahel standard
The first woman to contest a presidential election in Nigeria is Sarah Jubril.
In 2003, she took her ambition to the Progressive Action Congress, PAC and became the first woman to contest a presidential election in Nigeria. She later returned to PDP, to contest for the party’s ticket in 2007 but scored four votes at the convention which late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua won. Jubril’s presidential ambition dates back to 1998 when she aspired on the platform of the PDP and lost the presidential ticket to Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, who went on to win the polls.
Adepeju Adenuga is a writer (considering where you are reading this, makes perfect sense). She holds a Masters Degree in Literature in English from the University of Lagos.
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One thought on “THROWBACK THURSDAY: First Nigerian Women in Politics”
The information is interesting, I will be pleased to see next update provide more data on women in the state level. We have more women participating than captured though this is a good place to start we need to increase the net. Can you correct the picture for Senator Franca Afegbua, it has Oluremi Tinubu picture instead.
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The information is interesting, I will be pleased to see next update provide more data on women in the state level. We have more women participating than captured though this is a good place to start we need to increase the net. Can you correct the picture for Senator Franca Afegbua, it has Oluremi Tinubu picture instead.