Nigerian Women: 51 Years of Steady Rise

Patient Jonathan

Nigerian women celebrate over half a century of rising political profile as Nigeria turns 51
By Osamudiamen Ogbonmwan
The evolution of women in Nigerian politics has indeed come a long way.
In a country where cultural factors pose a serious huddle to socio-economic and political rise of the women folk, observers say the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan deserves a round of applause for appointing 13 women to occupy key ministerial positions barely one month after his inauguration.
In 1995 at the women conference in Beijing, China, it was agreed that women are mostly under-represented at most levels of governments, especially in ministerial and other executive bodies. Also identified was the little progress women had attained in political powers in legislative bodies. At least, a 30 percent recommendation of women representation in the government was agreed; but in the real sense of it, not many women had been considered before now.
Last year however, Patience Jonathan, the first lady of the country, through her Women for Change Initiative campaigned stridently for 35 affirmative action for women in terms of representation in government. She called on Nigerian women to work in collaboration so as to achieve the affirmative action of the new figure of women representation in political offices. As a gender activist as the First Lady, many insist she has won a significant battle in the quest for more women representation in government as about 31 percent of the 42-member federal cabinet are female.
The role call includes Viola Onwuliri, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ruqayatu Rufai, Minister of Education, Erelu Olushola Obada, Minister of State, Defence, Olajumoke Akinjide, Minister of State for FCT, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister for Finance, Ama Pepple, Minister, Land and Housing, Omobola Johnson Olubusola, Minister, Communication Technology and Sarah Ochekpe, Minister, Water Resources.
Others are Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafa, Minister of Environment, Zainab Maina; Minister for Women Affairs, Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi, Minister of Aviation, Diezani Alison-Madueke; Minister for Petroleum and Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi; Minister of State for Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
After the appointments, President Jonathan said: “ I promised women 35 per cent slot in my cabinet and I fulfilled that vow because it is my desire to ensure a level playing field in Nigeria by heading an administration where ethnicity, gender and religion do not hinder qualified persons from fulfilling their potential. It is also the reason I ordered the admission of women to the Nigerian Defence Academy- a first in Nigeria. Women should brace up to be all they want to be in life as this administration will be an enabler of your progress”.
The President however expressed his excitement over his choice of making the appointment of the women who he said were chosen on merit.
“I am convinced that with this team, I am certain we will deliver”, he assured.
Over the years, women have been relegated to the background of decision making in the country but as a result of political re-awakening and awareness, women began participating more actively in political issues.
Wuraola Esan from the defunct Western Nigeria was the forerunner for the rise of women in politics when in 1960 she became the first female member of the Federal Parliament. In 1961 Margaret Ekpo also won elections in Aba Urban constituency to become a member of the defunct Eastern Nigerian House of Assembly. in 1966, Janet N. Mokelu and Ekpo A. Young contested, won and became members of the Eastern House of Assembly.
It wasn’t until 1980 that women started joining the Federal Executive Council. Janet Akinrinde was appointed Minister for Internal Affairs while Adenike Ebun Oyagbola was made Minister for National Planning. In 1983, while a few women were appointed Commissioners in states, just one woman, Franca Afegbua became the only female in the Senate.
The era that actually became a turning point in the history of women struggle in the country’s political field may be said to be during the time of the late former First Lady, Maryam Babangida who institutionalised the office of the First Lady in 1987. She created an office with her Better Life for Rural Women project. Since then, Nigerian women had not looked back as regard more participation in governance. Incidentally, globally, the same call was being made which led to the Beijing conference in 1995. Nigeria’s former First Lady, Maryam Abacha, led the contingent of political and professional members of female class to the conference.
In the past few years, women have come to achieve a lot in the political scene as even more representation has been recorded. Women like Dora Akunyili, Kema Chikwe, Oby Ezekwesili and a few others have occupied sensitive positions in government and have been hailed for a job well done. In 2007, the country recorded the emergence of Patricia Eteh as the first Nigerian female Speaker in the House of Representatives.
Despite the difficulties faced by women in politics, they still contribute enormously to political and national development but as the country celebrates her 51st anniversary, the Nigerian women still have a strong believe that there is hope in the horizon for more women to come into the political play -field and someday sit atop the most coveted political seat in the country-the Presidency.