SUMMARY
Women’s participation in politics is a contentious issue in the Nigerian political life. Since Nigeria’s independence in 1960, Nigerian women have continued to struggle to be renowned within all professions. Though they have excelled in various fields ranging from engineering, medicine, accountancy, pharmacy, law, journalism, banking, etc., yet the level of their participation in political mainstream is still much to be felt.A critical evaluation of Nigeria’s political history shows a great marginalization of women in politics and appointments.
However despite being a patriarchal society, Nigeria has a rich history of women breaking out of the mold to participate in politics notwithstanding the above postulation. Our pre-colonial history is replete with the exploits of Queen Amina of Zaria, who led armies to drive out invaders from Zaria; and Moremi of Ile-Ife, whose sacrifice for her people speaks to selfless leadership that we are so bereft of these days. Our recent past speaks of prominent women leaders like Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, a crusader and challenger of despotic leaders, who led Egba women on a protest against taxation; Margaret Ekpo, a prominent civil rights activist; and Hajia Gambo Sawaba, who championed the cause of the oppressed in northern Nigeria.
