Iconic women at the forefront of activism

In recent times, Nigeria has witnessed a surge in activism and protests, with citizens demanding change and holding their leaders accountable for their actions. With the #EndSARS protest of 2020 and the recent #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest, it is clear that citizens are demanding more from their leaders.
In this piece, NAOMI CHIMA chronicles the contribution of tireless and fearless women who have been at the forefront of activism, as well as how they are symbols of pride and encouragement for many Nigerians

Josephine Okei-Odumakin

Born on July 4, 1966, in Zaria, Kaduna State, Josephine Okei-Odumakin was raised in a Roman Catholic household. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Education, a Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling, and a doctorate in History and Policy of Education from the University of Ilorin.

Okei-Odumakin is a prominent women’s rights activist and president of the Women Arise for Change Initiative and the Campaign for Democracy. Throughout her career, she has been detained 17 times, notably during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.). She has been involved in over 2,000 cases addressing women’s rights violations, including extrajudicial killings and neglect of children’s rights by authorities.

She has received numerous international and local awards. In 2013, she received the International Women of Courage Award from the US Department of State, presented by Michelle Obama and John Kerry. In 2019, she facilitated training for the Civil Society Organisation Professionalism, Effectiveness, and Therapy Workshop, focusing on mobilising women for change.

Okei-Odumakin holds several key positions. She is the Executive Director of the Institute of Human Rights and Democratic Studies; the founding President of Women Arise for Change Initiative, Chairman of the Task Force of the Citizen Forum, President of the Centre for Change in Community Development and Public Awareness, President of the Centre for Participatory Democracy, and Spokesperson for the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria.

Her relentless fight against human rights abuses has made her a notable figure in civil society.

She was married to Yinka Odumakin, a fellow activist and spokesman for the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, until his death from COVID-19 complications in 2021. The couple had two children together.

Okei-Odumakin’s life and work are marked by her unwavering commitment to human rights and social justice, making significant contributions to the fight for women’s rights in Nigeria.

Aisha Yesufu

Aisha Yesufu was born on December 12, 1973, and despite some societal constraints, she pursued education with determination. After being rejected by the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1991 due to her gender, she enrolled at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto State, in 1992, though she later left following the school’s closure, and moved to Ahmadu Bello University, Kaduna State, to study Medicine. There, her educational journey was again disrupted when the university was closed following the murder of a professor in 1994. Undeterred, Aisha completed her education at Bayero University Kano, graduating with a degree in Microbiology.

Yesufu co-founded the #BringBackOurGirls movement in response to the abduction of 276 schoolgirls by the terrorist group, Boko Haram, in Chibok, Borno State, on April 14, 2014. Alongside Oby Ezekwesili, she led protests and brought international attention to the plight of the kidnapped girls. The movement garnered global support, including tweets from former US First Ladies— Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton.

In 2020, Aisha also became a prominent figure in the #EndSARS movement, which protested against police brutality in the country. A photograph of Aisha wearing a hijab with one hand raised at one of the protest grounds and standing in defiance of security operatives became one of the most iconic images of the movement.

Yesufu’s unwavering activism has earned her numerous accolades. In 2020, she was named one of the BBC’s 100 most influential women, and included in the list of the Top 100 Most Influential Africans by New African Magazine. In 2023, she was recognized by Reputation Poll International as one of the 14 Nigerians among the ‘100 Most Reputable Africans’. Additionally, she has received the Martin Luther King Award, and was listed among the 50 Most Impactful Voices in 2023 to mark International Women’s Day.

Aisha Yesufu is married to Aliu Yesufu, and they have two children.

In addition to her activism, Aisha is a businesswoman. She founded Oceangate Distribution Service, and is the Chief Executive Officer of Aliyyah and Amir Ventures Limited.

Obiageli Ezekwesili

Born on April 28, 1963, in Lagos State, Obiageli Ezekwesili holds a Master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos, and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School. She trained with Deloitte and Touche, qualifying as a chartered accountant.

Ezekwesili served at several government parastatals in Nigeria, and was at different times, the Minister of Solid Minerals, and Minister of Education.

As Minister of Education, she led efforts to achieve ‘education for all’ targets and Millennium Development Goals. She also introduced public-private partnerships, and enhanced transparency and accountability in the ministry’s governance.

She also served as the World Bank’s Africa Region Vice President from May 2007 to May 2012. Her tenure was marked by significant contributions to economic development and policy reforms across the continent.

Ezekwesili co-founded Transparency International, a global anti-corruption organisation based in Berlin, Germany. Her work there established her as a leading advocate for transparency and accountability in governance.

In 2014, Ezekwesili co-founded the #BringBackOurGirls movement following the abduction of 276 schoolgirls by Boko Haram in Chibok, Borno State. She is also the brain behind the #FixPolitics Initiative, a research-based, citizen-led initiative aimed at reforming Nigeria’s political system. She established the School of Politics, Policy and Governance and Human Capital Africa as well to foster leadership and human capital development.

She is a senior fellow at the Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs, and serves as a senior economic advisor for the Open Society Foundations.

She is married to Pastor Chinedu Ezekwesili of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, and they have three sons.

In 2019, Ezekwesili ran for the office of President of Nigeria on the platform of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, but she withdrew from the race due to differences with some top members of the party.

Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi

Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, a prominent activist, policy advocate, and writer was born on June 11, 1963, in Liverpool, England.

Growing up in England, she was influenced by a cultural and political tradition that emphasised individual contributions to societal advancement. This upbringing instilled in her a deep sense of responsibility towards creating a positive legacy through personal contribution and knowledge.

Adeleye-Fayemi’s career is marked by her dedication to women’s rights and social justice. From 1991 to 2001, she served as the Director of Akina Mama wa Afrika, where she established the African Women’s Leadership Institute. She co-founded the African Women’s Development Fund, a grant-making foundation for women’s organizations based in Ghana, and served as its first CEO from 2001 to 2010.

Married to a former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, she is a two-time First Lady of the state (2010-2014) and (2018-2022). She is known to have utilised her platform to influence legal and policy frameworks, mobilise resources, and promote and protect the rights of women and girls.

She campaigned for several critical laws, including the Gender-Based Violence Prohibition Law, 2011, revised in 2019; the Equal Opportunities Bill, 2013; the HIV Anti-Stigma Bill, 2014; the Treatment, Care, and Protection Bill for Sexually Abused Minors, 2020; the Ekiti State Mental Health Law, 2021; the Ekiti State Gender Composition Law 2022; and the Multiple Births Trust Fund, 2022.

Her leadership extended to chairing the Ekiti State GBV Management Committee and the Ekiti State AIDS Control Agency. She also chaired the Nigerian Governors’ Wives Forum from 2019 to 2022, during which the forum became a vital platform for the protection of women and children. Under her leadership, the NGWF facilitated the declaration of a State of Emergency against Gender-Based Violence by the Nigeria Governors Forum during the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2020.

Adeleye-Fayemi also founded Above Whispers Media Foundation and writes a weekly column called Loud Whispers. She also established a mentoring programme called The Wrapper Network, and served as a Senior Advisor for UN Women Nigeria, 2017-2018. Currently, she is a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Africa Leadership Center, King’s College London.

Her contributions to women’s rights and social change have earned her numerous recognitions, including receiving the Outstanding Woman Leader award from the United Nations Development Program Nigeria, UN Women Nigeria. In November 2022, she was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the African Philanthropy Network.

Funmi Falana

Known as a distinguished legal practitioner and women’s rights activist, Funmi Falana is also the wife of a prominent activist and lawyer, Femi Falana, and the mother of Falz, a renowned rapper and actor.

In her role as the National Director of Women Empowerment and Legal Aid, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to defending the rights of women and children, she has been a formidable force in activism, leading campaigns against rape and women’s marginalisation, and advocating for women’s participation in politics and decision-making. She successfully challenged Regulation 124 of the Police Act, which prohibited female officers from marrying until having spent three years in service. The court ruled this provision unconstitutional and discriminatory against women, thereby nullifying it.

On January 28, 2021, Funmi Falana, as Chairperson of WELA, wrote a letter titled, Request to Recall Dismissed Pregnant Police Officer, to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Adamu. She demanded the reinstatement of Corporal Omotola Olajide of the Ekiti State Police Command, who was dismissed for getting pregnant out of wedlock. Falana threatened to challenge the dismissal at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, and seek the annulment of Regulation 127 of the Police Act, 2020 if the police authority failed to reinstate Omotola within a reasonable time.

Funmi attended St. Louis Girls’ Grammar School in Akure, Ondo State. She initially earned a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from the University of Benin, before pursuing a Law degree at the University of Lagos, where she also completed her Master’s degree in Law.

She is an active member of several professional, including the Nigerian Bar Association, West African Bar Association, International Bar Association, and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Through her relentless advocacy and legal expertise, she continues to champion the rights of women and children in Nigeria, striving to eliminate discriminatory practices and promote gender equality.

 Esther Ibanga

Esther Ibanga is another champion and advocate of human rights. She was born on March 31, 1961, to Abumadga Auta and Mariamu Abimiku, in Nasarawa State. She is married to Ikoedem Ibanga and has two daughters.

Her career began at the Nation Plan Consortium during her National Youth Service Corps programme. She then served as a Marketing Officer at Jos Steel Rolling Mills before rising to the position of Manager at the Central Bank of Nigeria, where she worked for 16 years.

In 1995, she left her high-profile job to become the first woman to lead a church in Jos, the Plateau State capital, founding the Jos Christian Mission International.

Ibanga was also a peacemaker who fought against injustice in the nation. In April 2010, she founded the Women Without Walls Initiative, an organisation dedicated to promoting peace, empowering women, and resolving conflicts in Nigeria, particularly in Plateau State. WOWWI’s multifaceted approach includes advocacy, relief for internally displaced persons, peacebuilding training, dialogues, and community development projects.

Ibanga’s leadership was prominently displayed in 2010 when she led a protest march of 100,000 Christian women against ethno-religious violence in Plateau State. Her collaboration with Muslim women, led by Hajiya Khadijat Hawaja, highlighted her commitment to unity and peace across religious divides, and she successfully bridged the gap between Christian and Muslim communities through WOWWI. Her efforts to promote peace among diverse ethnic and religious groups in Jos, Nigeria, have been recognized globally, earning her the esteemed Niwano Peace Prize.

Ibanga also played a crucial role in the Bring Back Our Girls campaign following the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping. She mobilised women from both Christian and Muslim communities for protest rallies, demanding the Nigerian government to expedite the search and secure the release of the abducted girls.

Her husband, Dr Iko Ibanga, founder of Pro-Health International, has also been a source of inspiration. Through his work, he has provided medical care to millions without seeking publicity, a trait that resonates with Esther’s approach to service.

She continues to be a beacon of hope and a powerful force for peace and unity, and her dedication to peace-building and advocacy has had a profound impact on society.

Laila St. Matthew-Daniel

Laila St. Matthew-Daniel, born on February 14, 1953, in Lagos, is a renowned executive coach, leadership trainer, speaker, author, and women’s rights activist. As the founder and President of ACTS Generation GBV, she spearheads efforts to combat domestic violence and child abuse in Nigeria.

Laila is deeply involved in advocating for the rights of women and girls. She has organised numerous protests, including those in response to the Buni Yadi massacre in Yobe State in February 2014, and the kidnapping of Chibok schoolgirls by Boko Haram. Her activism extends to organising sensitisation seminars and workshops aimed at empowering women through self-mastery, self-awareness, and self-actualization.

Laila is internationally recognised for her work as a personal growth and transformational expert. She combines her background in administration, psychology and coaching to help individuals transform their personal and professional lives. Her deep spiritual understanding enhances her ability to provide life-transforming solutions, enabling inner healing and personal realignment.

Laila’s passion for giving back to society is evident in her founding of ACTS Generation, an NGO focused on the empowerment of women and girls, and advocacy against domestic violence and abuse. She aims to raise women entrepreneurs who can contribute to societal growth and development by being self-sufficient. Her mission is to ensure women are respected, given equal opportunities, and able to challenge their limitations to achieve their full potential.

She has authored books on entrepreneurship, personal development, and spiritual empowerment. She writes for business and personal development magazines, and serves on the board of various organisations, bringing her expertise to operational strategies.

Her dedication to women’s rights, transformational leadership, and personal empowerment continues to inspire and effect positive change within Nigeria and beyond.

Rinu Oduala

Rinu Oduala is the Executive Project Director of Connect Hub NG, a human rights platform advocating for justice against police brutality in Nigeria. She also serves as the executive director of the Marigold RO Foundation, which partners with domestic and foreign entities to empower young people and build civic capacity.

Oduala was a formidable and outspoken advocate for social justice, human rights, and democracy in Nigeria, making history with her active role in the #EndSARS movement. She has been a prominent voice both nationally and internationally, with over 100 speaking engagements and media appearances.

Rinu served on the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution on police brutality, a key demand of the #EndSARS protesters.

Her activism gained prominence during the October 2020 protests against police brutality, where she was one of the first to take to the streets following the viral video of an alleged killing by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad. She organised and led a protest camp outside the Lagos State Governor’s office, rallying people via social media and securing resources for protesters.

Despite her achievements, Rinu faced significant risks. She was one of 20 protest organisers whose funds were frozen by the Central Bank of Nigeria in November 2020.

She is currently a Hurford Youth Fellow with the World Movement for Democracy, and a public health professional. She has been recognised by the United Nations for her work in peace, justice, and dignity and has received multiple accolades for her resilience, including the Woman of the Year for Advocacy by HerNetwork (2021) and HerEconomy (2022); nominated for LLA’s 2021 #100 Most Inspiring Women in Nigeria, SERAS Africa’s Top Influencer for Social Good (2021), and CAHR Aminu Kano Award for Leadership (2020). She was also listed among NBCWashington’s 31 Women Creating a Positive Impact in Africa, recognised as one of BBC Africa’s Influential Women of 2020, among others.

Feyikemi Abudu

Born in January 1993 in London, United Kingdom, Feyikemi Abudu comes from a lineage of influential and accomplished individuals. Her mother, Ekua Akinsanya (formerly Abudu), is a lawyer, educator, interior decorator, and businesswoman; while her father, Wale Abudu, is also a lawyer. Growing up surrounded by strong, accomplished women such as Modupe Sagoe, Deola Sagoe and Mo Abudu, FK attributes her audacity to the values instilled in her by her family.

She studied Chemical Engineering at University College London from 2011 to 2015. She later attended Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, obtaining a certificate in Entrepreneurial Studies in 2015. Determined not to pursue a career in engineering, she served as the VP of Business Development and Programmes at She Leads Africa, a forum empowering African women financially.

In October 2020, FK Abudu emerged as a key figure in the #EndSARS protests, a movement against police brutality in Nigeria. Her activism was sparked by her concern for fellow Nigerians protesting outside the Lagos State House of Assembly complex. On October 9, 2020, she initiated a call for donations via Twitter to provide food for the protesters. Within minutes, donations poured in, raising N500,000 in 15 minutes, and N2m in one hour.

FK joined forces with the Feminist Coalition, led by Damilola Odufuwa and Odunayo Eweniyi, to create an effective protest structure. They used a Flutterwave account to gather and disburse funds for food, water, drinks, medical supplies, legal fees, and hospital bills. However, their efforts were hindered when the Central Bank of Nigeria shut down the account link.

Despite having opportunities to leave Nigeria, FK chose to fight for her fellow citizens, leveraging her influence, experience, and political network to support thousands of young Nigerians. Her dedication and leadership during the protests made her one of the most influential young women in Nigeria. At 28 years old, she was named NET Honours Class of 2021’s Most Searched Personality.

Currently, she co-hosts a podcast, I Said What I Said, with her friend, Jola Ayeye. She also runs a consultancy firm, Caya House, and remains an influential voice on social media, particularly Twitter.