Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was a pioneer in the fight for women’s empowerment and political representation in Nigeria. She was a fierce educator, suffragist, and nationalist who challenged colonial rule and traditional gender norms at a time when women were expected to remain silent.
Born in 1900 in Abeokuta, Nigeria, she was one of the first Nigerian women to receive a formal Western education. She studied at Abeokuta Grammar School and later traveled to England for further studies. Upon returning to Nigeria, she dedicated her life to education and activism, particularly in uplifting women.
In the 1940s, she founded the Abeokuta Women’s Union (AWU), an organization that mobilized thousands of women—mostly market traders—against unfair taxation by British colonial authorities and the traditional rulers (the Egba Chiefs). In 1947, she led a historic protest against the Alake of Egbaland (the local king), forcing him to abdicate his throne due to his oppressive policies.
Her activism wasn’t just about taxation; she fought for women’s right to vote, equal access to education, and better healthcare. She became the first Nigerian woman to drive a car and was one of the few female political figures in the independence movement.
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was also the first Nigerian woman to run for political office, though Nigeria was still deeply patriarchal. She later became a key member of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), advocating for democracy and self-rule.
She was also the mother of legendary musician Fela Kuti, whose radical politics and resistance to oppression were heavily influenced by her. Sadly, in 1978, she suffered fatal injuries after soldiers raided Fela’s home (Kalakuta Republic), but her legacy remains unshaken.