In pre-modern times, women were generally pushed to the background and saddled with the domestic duties of cooking, bearing, and raising children. A woman was not deemed fit or competent to take part in decision-making; thus, a woman was never found among the council of elders in the traditional system of governance in the communities.
However, the narrative changed over time with the advent of civilization and western education. Women have since been an integral part of society, making invaluable contributions. They are the backbone of families, breadwinners in some cases, and crucial to the growth and development of communities. Their influence has continued to rise across several sectors of society.
Therefore, to celebrate and honour the achievements of women, March 8 is globally recognised as International Women’s Day (IWD).
Like every other country in the world, celebrating International Women’s Day in Nigeria is a significant occasion that highlights the achievements, contributions, and struggles of women in the country.
This day also serves as a reminder of the progress made towards gender equality and the empowerment of women, while also recognizing the work that still needs to be done to uplift women across all spheres of society.
In addition to recognizing the achievements of women, International Women’s Day in Nigeria also serves as a platform for amplifying and escalating the voices of women and advocating for their inclusion in decision-making processes at all levels of society. By empowering women to take on leadership roles and participate in shaping policies and programmes, the aim is also to create a more equitable and just society.
The theme for the 2024 International Day celebration is ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’. This theme highlights the importance of gender equality, women’s and girls’ empowerment, and their rights to healthier lives. The theme also underscores the importance of recognizing and celebrating the achievements of women across different social, economic, cultural, and political spheres.
Persecondnews reports that Nigeria has continued to see significant gaps in women’s participation across all arms and levels of governance, as recent data reveals that women remain underrepresented in the political spheres, with only 3.411 percent of parliamentary seats held by women.
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi, during a recent two-day roundtable on women’s inclusion in politics in commemoration of International Women’s Week, organised by the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria, disclosed that while women have the fundamental right to participate in political life, most of them still face a lot of social, cultural, and financial challenges.
She added that women in Nigeria are yet to prove effective in achieving gender parity in the highest government rankings.
“Thus, women continue to be underrepresented in government and face barriers that often make it difficult for them to access, exercise political power, and assume leadership positions.
“In Nigeria, the advocacy for women’s political participation has been long-drawn, and in spite of the very dynamic interventions by women groups and other key stakeholders, their representation remains in steady decline. For example, women’s representation in the 10th National Assembly is 7.4 percent out of a total of 469 combined seats in the Senate and House of Representatives,” she said.
Even though women in Nigeria are yet to break the barrier in party politics, they have made substantial contributions in other sectors such as banking, sports, and entertainment, among others. In a ground-breaking departure from the customary male dominance, women have actually taken over the banking sector in Nigeria. Currently, female CEOs are proudly in charge of nine banks.
Trailblazing Nigerian women and their accomplishments
Persecondnews takes a look at women who have played a crucial role in shaping the country’s development and promoting a more inclusive and equitable society.
Ngozi Okonkwo-Iweala – DG WTO
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iwela is the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). In the 2022 ranking, the 69-year-old secured number 91 as one of Forbes’s World’s 100 Most Powerful Women as a result of her continuous role in providing financial assistance and promoting global trade as the threat of a global recession rises.
Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala is an economist and international development professional with more than 30 years of experience working in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America.
In March 2021, she became the first woman and the first African to serve as Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.
Yemisi Edun, Managing Director, FCMB
Yemisi is the first female MD/CEO of FCMB. She is also the first woman to lead the financial institution, FCMB. Under her leadership, FCMB has witnessed significant growth and diversification, solidifying its position as a leading player in the Nigerian banking sector.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Ife, Ile-Ife, and a master’s degree in international accounting and finance from the University of Liverpool. She boasts an impressive track record in risk management and corporate governance.
Miriam Olusanya – GT Bank
Miriam, a seasoned banker with 26 years of experience, is the first female MD in the bank’s history. She holds a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from the University of Ibadan and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), majoring in finance and accounting, from the University of Liverpool.
Ireti Samuel-Ogbu – Citibank Nigeria
Ireti Samuel-Ogbu was appointed MD/CEO of CitiBank in September 2020, the first female CEO of the bank in Nigeria. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Finance from Middlesex University, UK, and an MBA from the University of Bradford, UK.
Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe – Fidelity Bank
Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe became the first female to occupy the position of MD/CEO since the bank’s inception in 1988. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from King’s College, London.
Tomi Somefun, MD/CEO of Unity Bank Plc
Tomi Somefun became the CEO of Unity Bank in 2015. She is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and also attended business school at Harvard Business School and the University of Columbia. She is passionate about promoting financial literacy and economic empowerment across Nigeria.
Yetunde Oni – Union Bank
Yetunde was appointed as the first female MD/CEO of Union Bank by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in January 2024. Her appointment marked a significant development in Union Bank’s leadership, with her extensive experience expected to play a crucial role in the bank’s strategic direction.
Yetunde holds a degree in economics from the University of Ibadan, executive training from Oxford University, and an MBA in business administration from Bangor University.
In a remarkable display of her prowess on the field, Nigerian football sensation Asisat Oshoala secured her sixth African Women’s Player of the Year award, setting an unparalleled record in the continent’s women’s football history.
The prestigious accolade was bestowed upon Oshoala during the 2023 CAF Women’s Player of the Year awards ceremony, which was held in Marrakech, Morocco.This achievement added to Oshoala’s impressive collection, having previously claimed the title in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022. The Nigerian football star’s consistent excellence on the field has made her a formidable force and a role model for aspiring athletes across the continent.
Rena Wakama, D’Tigress head coach
Rena Wakama, D’Tigress head coach, became the first female coach to win the Women’s Afrobasket title competition since its inception in 1966.
Wakama welcomed the outstanding change after 57 years of male supremacy in women’s basketball in Africa.
Despite being appointed less than a month before the tournament, Wakama created history and brilliance. The team had never lost in an African champions encounter and had won the first three competitions under her.
What women in Nigeria think about IWD
In commemoration of the IWD, many Nigerian women, including the First Lady of Nigeria, have expressed their expectations, with many taking to their various social media pages to celebrate.
The First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, called for an increase in investment by women, describing it as a strategy for national progress.
She disclosed this in a statement shared on her X handle on Friday.
According to the First Lady, she does not see investing in women as charity but as a strategy to build the future of Nigeria.
The statement read: “Today, on International Women’s Day, I celebrate every woman—daughters, sisters, aunts, mothers, grandmothers, and also great grandmothers—for your resilience, passion, and courage that have brought us thus far.
“The theme this year resonates deeply: ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.’ It’s a call to action.
“This is the time to invest in women more than ever. Accelerating progress in any sphere requires that women have to be more involved.
“That is why I see investing in women, not as charity but as a strategy to build the future of our dear nation, Nigeria.
“Equipping you with education, resources, and opportunities to unleash your full potential, supporting your businesses, helping to dismantle economic barriers, and ensuring your voices are heard is a very crucial step.
“Therefore, my question to all women is: What are you doing to help the other woman? How are you investing in her?
“Let us all come together, bond, and love one another. This is the pathway to accelerated progress. I charge all women; just pull a sister up, one at a time. You will be amazed at what we can achieve collectively.”
A digital rights lawyer, Mojirayo Ogunlana, in a chat with Persecondnews, called on women to challenge themselves to mentor young women and inspire them to aspire for greatness while maintaining their integrity.
She said: “As we commemorate today, International Women’s Day, I am reminded once again of the numerous barriers, particularly in the political space, against women.
“As we continue to call for gender parity and balance in society, women must challenge themselves to mentor young women and inspire them to aspire for greatness while maintaining their integrity. We must demand from ourselves accountability, regardless of the absence of such demands by men on themselves.
“Women are talented, innovative, creative, and outstanding leaders. It is our duty to encourage more women to be the right kind of examples for young girls and posterity.
“As a digital rights lawyer, I also want to state that women need to leverage ever evolving technologies and acquire new methods for achieving excellence in society. Women must build each other up to be the best and to leverage each other’s strengths.
“Lastly, I emphasize that women don’t tear each other down. We lift each other, and we must create the environment for women to thrive within the peculiarities around them. Women include women and do not edge them out.
“It is unfair for women who have managed to overcome several societal obstacles to disregard the challenges other upcoming young women face. We must remain our very own cheerleaders, as it is only by inspiring ourselves that we can inspire others.
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