Neusroom Untold: How Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Alimotu Pelewura, Hajiya Gambo Sabawa, Flora Nwapa’s feminism shaped Nigeria’s History

Before the more popular third and fourth waves of feminism which emerged in the 1990s and 2000s respectively, feminism had found its root in Nigeria, although not as controversial and popular as it is now.

A UK-trained teacher and activist, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, an uneducated Lagos fish seller, Alimotu Pelewura, a political activist and daughter of a Ghanaian immigrant, Hajiya Gambo Sabawa, and a literary icon, Flora Nwapa, among others were some of the second-wave feminists whose activities shaped and redefined feminism in Nigeria from 1930 up till early 1990.

The exploits of these women, which have altered the status quo and shaped Nigeria’s history, have been featured in ’Neusroom Untold’, a collection of 78 stories about important people, places and events that have shaped Nigeria’s history.

Launched on Thursday October 1, 2020 by ID Africa in celebration of Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary, Femi Falodun, ID Africa’s CEO said: “We are using Nigeria’s 60th Independence celebration as an opportunity to share some of the most remarkable stories we’ve curated over the past few years with a wider audience of young Nigerians who may not have previously known about these people, places and events.”

Growing up in a society where patriarchy and sexism were the order, these women used their respective positions and platforms to change the system that was naturally configured against women, empower women and mobilise them against government policies that were unfavourable to women, like the introduction of tax, exclusion of women from voting and holding political office.

According to the ‘Neusroom Untold’ collection, Nwapa made history as the first African woman to publish a book in English and before she died at 62, her works had influenced the writings of a new generation of female writers who have been emboldened to tell their stories and carry on with the legacy of driving the narrative of African women.

Pelewura, although an uneducated fish seller in Lagos Island, led a movement of market women to challenge some of the policies of the British colonial government – the relocation of Ereko market in Lagos Island and direct taxation of women.

It is widely believed that the activities of these women influenced the present wave of feminism in Nigeria, although some pundits have argued that their style of feminism had more impact and was less controversial.