Yesterday I released a list of leaders and broke it into three categories
One was the kind of leaders we need, the other was the kind of leaders we have and the last was the kind of leaders we have missed
Unfortunately, no woman made the list and I got a beating from women’s activists
Honestly, when I was designing the list no woman jumped up in my mind and as sex wasn’t a criterion for the choice, I didn’t even notice
Then my sisters Ada Obaje and Abosede Ogan who is a Harvard-trained specialist in these matters came at me.
Even my big sister Hajia Lami Tumaka the very influential PR expert joined in the debate
After the talks, I honked down. There has been no serious woman leader since Funmilayo Ransom Kuti, I declared getting ready to be beaten up
That woman, who fought early for a seat at the table of the National discussion.
She dethroned a powerful traditional ruler, fought for female adult suffrage and even joined independence talks all on her own strength not cos she was a woman
We have had very powerful women in the past in activism and governance. Names like Margaret Ekpo and Ladi Kwali quick comes to mind
Fast forward today, let me ask a small question, which Nigerian woman would be merited to sit on a table that curates powerful leaders in any sphere apart from maybe business
I can’t think of any and if you the reader can, please send me the name and I’ll pay you.
The best you will get of Nigerian womanhood is in finance, business, trading and maybe the professionals and even at that you get only a handful
When we were curating the power list, it was a struggle to get women to even write essays for the book and to get them on the list
Today in politics, no female is showing at the highest levels
We used to have Sarah Jibril who once contested for the presidency, but that fizzled away
Today no woman is vying for any significant position in any party and at most levels.
If you come to the Local Government level, you will find a smattering, and after that nothing
As I told Ada and Bosede, I won’t reckon with women just cos they are women
No. They must show readiness and qualifications to be taken seriously
Funmilayo Kuti did not rely on her feminine guile to be counted, she tied her wrapper, wore her gele and jumped in
Today’s woman is lazy. Fighting to be spoon-fed in politics, fighting for a quota. Ohhh reserve 20% of seats for women and when that is done, you do not even find one sticking out their necks
One must understand the challenges they face in seeking power or leadership
Societal challenges like marriage, family limitations and even biological and natural limitations but if cos of these they must be put on any list it must be that the woman like Mrs Kuti, has been able to defeat those limitations and has shown readiness
Men also find themselves limited by challenges too and that’s why u see that only a few stand up to be counted and the vast majority are left in the lurch
I will not draw up a list and now be looking for women to balance just to ensure gender balancing for social optics, I would be doing myself and society a whole lot of evil if I conceded and did that
Women have historically played very powerful roles in society but these days, it’s pancake activism in every sector and a lazy cry to be recognised without doing the work
Show me the modern-day Funmilayo Ransom Kuti and I’ll show you a serious woman
Sadly, I can’t find anyone, if you know of one, please send me her name
Come and beat me
Thanks
Duke of Shomolu
Last modified: May 3, 2026
