3 times Nigerian Women Showed Us What Fighting for Freedom Should Look like

As Nigeria marks its 61st year of Independence, we are reminded that we celebrate this day because of brave Nigerians who lived and gave their lives for not just independence from our colonial masters but freedom from certain injustice and policies that are not beneficial to us as a country.

In honor of this milestone, here are three women and the events that have shown us what the fight for independence truly means:

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti’s Fight Against Unfair Taxes

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti railed against what she said were unfair taxes levied on small traders in Abeokuta, many of whom were women. After one victory over water rates in 1959, the Daily Times of Nigeria reported that thousands of supporters of the Federation of Nigerian Women’s Union (NWU) danced around Abeokuta town.

Led by her, Abeokuta Women’s Union (AWU) members protested the tax policies, fighting with petitions, press conferences, letters to newspapers, and demonstrations. To put more pressure on authorities, they publicly refused to pay taxes and called for an audit of the financial men’s Tax Riot’, four women received seats on the local council, and the taxation of women was ended. Described by the media as the “Lioness of Lisabi”, Funmilayo’s unwavering commitment informed her active role in Pan-African politics.

Aba Women’s Riot

The Aba Women’s war forced colonial authorities to change their plans to impose a tax on the market women and to curb the power of the warrant chiefs. The women’s uprising is seen as the first significant challenge to British authority in Nigeria and West Africa during the colonial period.

The riot, also known as the  “Women’s War”, took months; eventually, the government had no choice but to give in. It became a historic example of feminist and anti-colonial protest.

The Women’s War remains an important historical event that speaks about the underestimated strength of women who came together and showed courage, bravery, rebellion, and even sacrifice while fighting an oppressive system.

The aftermath of the War ignited the revolution in defense of women’s rights in Nigeria. The fight for women’s empowerment is ongoing, and the advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of equity and equality is still crucial, as demonstrated in the lack of inclusion of women in Nigerian politics.

Gambo Sawaba’s Fight Against Child Marriage

She was known as the most jailed woman in the history of Nigeria. She went to jail 16 times. Sawaba’s involvement in politics started at the very early age of 17. Mentored by Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, she fought against early marriages and forced labor. She was a well-known advocate for western education in the north. She openly advocated against child marriage, forced and unpaid labor, and unfair taxes. She also canvassed jobs for women, education for girls, and full voting rights.

She would always intervene in other children’s fights on the side of the loser, telling them: “I have bought this fight from you”, before carrying on the scuffle.

With all of these, it’s no surprise she had attracted the anger of the authorities. As many women in the north followed the practice of purdah, a form of social seclusion, Sawaba went house to house to speak to them. This displeased the Native Authority in Kano, and, in 1952, she was hauled before the conservative Alkali (Magistrates) Court on charges of “drawing out women who were in purdah”. The court sentenced her to three months in prison.

Sawaba was not her birth name. It was given to her by her political mentor, Malam Aminu Kano, after she had been elected president-general of NEPU’s (The Northern Elements Progressive Union) women’s wing. It means freedom or redemption.