In the chronicles of Nigeria’s history, where patriots are etched in bold letters, one name stands out; a woman, a mother, a warrior, a revolutionary. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was not just a woman of her time; she was a woman ahead of time. A fearless fighter, a relentless advocate, and a voice that could not be silenced. Her life was a testament to what true patriotism means service to the people, courage in the face of tyranny, and an unbreakable commitment to justice.

As we celebrate Women’s Month, let us remember not just the name, but the power, the movement, and the unshakable legacy of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti; the mother of Nigerian activism.

A Trailblazer in Education and Women’s Rights

Born in 1900, at a time when Nigerian women were expected to stay in the shadows, Funmilayo refused to be confined by the limitations of her society. She was the first girl to attend Abeokuta Grammar School, breaking barriers and setting the stage for future generations of Nigerian women.

Her education was not just about personal advancement; it was a tool for liberation. She saw how women, especially market traders, were exploited by colonial and traditional authorities. She saw the lack of representation, the systemic oppression, and the need for a new voice, a new order, and a new Nigeria.

She founded the Abeokuta Women’s Union (AWU), a formidable movement of over 20,000 women, who stood against unjust taxation, oppressive governance, and gender discrimination. This was not just activism; it was a revolution, led by a woman who knew that freedom was never given, but taken.

The Face of True Patriotism

Many claim to love Nigeria, but few have given their all for this country. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti gave everything.

Her activism was not about personal gain. She was one of the founding members of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), working alongside nationalists like Herbert Macaulay and Nnamdi Azikiwe to demand Nigeria’s independence. She traveled across the world, from Europe to the Soviet Union, advocating for a Nigeria free from colonial chains and corrupt leadership.

At home, she confronted the Alake of Egbaland, a king who had become a tool of colonial powers. When he imposed unfair taxes on women, she led mass protests, shut down Abeokuta, and forced him to step down. She did not just fight for Nigerian independence; she fought for economic freedom, social justice, and the dignity of every Nigerian woman.

A Legacy Paid in Blood

But patriotism comes at a cost. The same Nigerian system she fought for would later betray her, silence her, and ultimately take her life.

In 1978, during the military invasion of Fela’s Kalakuta Republic, Funmilayo; now an elderly woman was thrown from a second-story window by soldiers. She sustained fatal injuries and died the following year.

Her death was no accident. It was a message from those in power: that the voices of truth would always be met with brutality. But they were wrong. Funmilayo did not die. She became a symbol, a legend, a spirit that continues to inspire Nigerian women, activists, and patriots.

Her Story Must Be Told

For too long, Nigeria has failed to give Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti the recognition she deserves. But today, the tides are turning. In 2023, Bolanle Austen-Peters directed “Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti,” a film that finally brings her story to the big screen.

This movie is not just a film, it is a reminder that Nigeria owes a debt to this woman.

A debt to recognize her.
A debt to continue her fight.
A debt to ensure that no Nigerian woman is ever silenced again.

A Call to the Women of Today

If Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti were alive today, what would she say?

Would she watch as Nigerian leaders silence critics?
Would she stay quiet as women suffer economic hardship, violence, and political exclusion?
Would she ignore the oppression of the youth, the corruption, the stagnation?

No. She would rise. She would speak. She would fight.

So, to every Nigerian woman: Rise. Speak. Fight.

The spirit of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti is not in history books.
It is in you.
It is in every Nigerian who refuses to accept oppression.

Rest in power, Mama Kuti. Nigeria will never forget you.

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti: The Woman Who Dared to Dream for Nigeria

Comments (0)