Feminism In Nigeria

History of African feminism

Precolonial Era in Nigeria

Before the British colonized southern Nigeria (which comprised of Lagos colony and southern Nigeria) in 1884 there were three major regions, the North was predominately Hausa- Fulani, and in the West were the Yorubas and the Ibos in the South. In 1914, the Northern and Southern protectorates were amalgamated for ease of colonial administration (Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2017). This structure remains the Nigeria nation as we have today. Prior to the colonization, Nigerians lived in communities in their traditional settings and roles. In these communities both men and women worked together for the socio-economic and political development of their families and the communities. There was

They held high profiled and influential political positions such as Iyalode, a high ranking chieftaincy title for a distinguished lady who can wield her personality to negotiate and bring resources to the township, Iyaloja which is the head of all market squares and stalls, this individual has power to allocate and redistribute spaces for merchandise and other community economic activities in the towns and serves as justice of peace among the users both male and female, and this is also obtainable in other places within Africa. This established that women hold much political power and influence that were at par with or greater than that of men in those times. Additionally, women were appointed as regents who act in the capacity of the king after the demise of the ruler in towns and villages, while some were substantive kings like Luwo Gbagida the 18th king of Ile –Ife (ref).Besides, they were sometimes chief priests to some of the goddesses of the land and heads of secret societies, this also is obtainable in Igboland in Eastern Nigeria and several other places in Africa (Udodinma, 2013). Although, there were traces of patriarchy in practice in this era of pre colonization, but women were not as marginalized as it is in post-colonial regime. There was no gender equality but the gap was

However, the colonial period brought complete erosion of female political power and authority and marginalization in all the regions (MsAfropolitan, 2013).The next section explains how colonization reinforced patriarchy and feminism became a route or vehicle for dismantling these patriarchal structure and colonial