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Top 10 Activists in Nigerian History
Talking about activists in Nigerian history, we would talk about individuals who have given all their lives to the development of Nigeria as a country and in doing so, thrive to see changes in the political social, and economic landscape of the country.
Talking about activists in Nigerian history, we would talk about individuals who have given all their lives to the development of Nigeria as a country and in doing so, thrive to see changes in the political social, and economic landscape of the country.
Likewise, activists are people who rise to challenges at times when we find ourselves being tested to the utmost. Nigeria as a country gained independence from its colonial masters – the British in 1960. But even in so much anticipation, the country has not been without events and people who wish to diminish what the founding fathers bravely fought for.
Meanwhile, in Nigeria, some of the changes that the people enjoyed are a result of the bravery of activists who decided to rise to the call and start a charge in areas such as Nigerian democracy activism, human rights, women’s rights, feminism, anti-corruption, social entrepreneurs, health activists, abolitionist, and humanitarian activism among other.
Largely, in the past, Nigeria’s independence, and democracy were threatened by people with selfish ambition who decided to mar the constitution of the country by ruling as military dictators by carrying out coups, thereby almost pushing the country back to an age that would have undermined the development of the country.
Activists excel most by bringing about a favorable and lasting change to a country’s development, just like in the case of some of the Sahara Africans, like Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Gabon who are currently, undergoing political and social crises, by coup Junta who topple democratically elected presidents. In cases like this, activists stand up to force the hands of the so-called Junta to restore constitutional order and reforms. However, in this article, we will look at the top 10 activists in Nigerian History.
1. Wole Soyinka
Prof. Wole Soyinka is one of the activists in Nigerian history who really contributed a great deal to the changes, reforms, and development in the political scene, writing, and social democracies among others. Wole Soyinka is a playwright, novelist, and poet who was a strong critic of the government, before Nigeria’s independence. He has also shown an astute nature in speaking further when the country started practicing democracy it practices now. In the 1950s, he campaigned for independence from British colonial rule and did not stop at that. Soyinka continued to condemn the military government throughout the ’60s to the ’90s while he was jailed at times and other times running away from the country for the safety of his life. He is considered a true symbol of the indomitable spirit of Nigerians.
2. Ken Saro-Wiwa
Ken Saro-Wiwa was a Nigerian activist who fought for his people and the nation of Nigeria as a whole. Although, he was one of the few people on this list who paid the price for the change and reforms they wished to see with their lives. Ken Wiwa was a writer, television producer, environmental activist, and human rights activist who fought for the autonomy as well as the rights of the Ogoni people. Before the ’90s he had been a strong advocate demanding a fair share of the proceeds of oil extraction from the Ogoni land in addition to demanding environmental change from the government and the Royal Dutch Shell. Meanwhile, in the ’90s he became a strong voice against the government, framing him as an excuse to silence him by executing him by hanging in the gallow.
3. Gani Fawehinmi
Chief Abdul-Ganiyu is many things to the Nigerian people. He is a Nigerian author, publisher, philanthropist, social critic, human and civil rights lawyer, and politician. And most importantly, is one of the top activists in Nigerian history who really made real changes. Gani Fawehinmi started his law career in 1965 in Lagos with a desire to be a successful lawyer. Soon, he aimed higher: to impact the lives of everyday Nigerians. He achieved this by becoming “the people’s lawyer,” taking on numerous pro bono cases. Meanwhile, for 40 years, he fearlessly challenged oppressive military rulers, enduring detentions and beatings. He championed media freedom, even advocating for justice from his sickbed. He believed post-independence governments prioritized corruption over governance. Despite battling cancer, he remained resilient until his 2009 passing.
4. Femi Falana
Femi Falana is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a human rights activist who has a long-standing of fighting for the justice of the people as well as bringing the government accountable for their actions. He started his legal practice in 1982 and since then has excelled in activism always helping people and showing opposition to military government through military regimes. Falana is a reputable lawyer who was part of the struggle “agitators of democracy” protest in 1993 along with Gani Fawehinmi and Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, after which he was released with the men he was imprisoned with. Falana who was imprisoned for months was released in accordance with the order of the interim president Chief Ernest Shonekan on 31 August 1993 among other arrests.
5. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was an influential figure in Nigerian history who played a pivotal role in the country’s independence movement. Meanwhile, as a strong feminist and women’s rights advocate, she co-founded the Abeokuta Women’s Union in the 1940s, leading a successful protest against colonial taxation. She also co-founded the Nigeria Union of Teachers and won the Lenin Peace Prize in 1970. Beyond her activism, she established schools and raised accomplished children, including Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Tragically, she passed away in 1978 due to complications from a raid on her son’s home by soldiers.
6. Aisha Yesufu
Aisha Yesufu is a Nigerian activist and one of the co-founders of the #BringBackOurGirls# movement which sought to mount pressure on the government to facilitate moves to bring back the school girls who were kidnapped in 2014 by the Boko Haram Jihadists. In addition, Aisha is a woman with strong political influence always making her stand known by fearlessly maintaining her stance on National issues. She was one of the conveners of the #EndSars# protest which aimed to stop police brutality which had reached its maximum intolerance height at the time. Aisha’s fierce stance on many issues has gained her many enemies as well admirers who see are as an icon, representing the people and women in the struggle for a better society.
7. Lola Omolola
Lola Omolola is one activist in Nigerian history who has made an impactful contribution and is still making it regardless of the situation. She was a former journalist turned founder of one of the most powerful online communities, boasting millions of members from around the world. She saw a problem during the kidnapping of the Chibok girls in 2014 and turned it into an opportunity to bring women together to share stories regarding their sexual abuse, and other challenges they face. Lola is one of the few women in the world who created a platform for women to talk and the first Nigeria to do so. The community renders support to members and women in need of aid to support a cause of women’s suffering. Additionally, it supports women going through a challenge in whatever area of life, mostly relating to social justice, female inclusion, and other crimes that are committed against women.
8. Fela Anikulapo-Kuti
Fela is perhaps the most popular musician in Nigerian history who doubles as a political activist, and Pan-Africanist. He is highly regarded as one of the greatest musicians of all time not only in Nigeria but also in Africa and the world in general. As the son of one of the top activists in Nigerian history, Fela earned a spot as one himself. He used his music to protest, resist, and comment on politics. In the 1970s, he transformed the relationship between music and Nigerian politics. Meanwhile, despite arrests and assaults by soldiers due to his dissenting views, he persisted and did not allow that to affect his focus. Fela staunchly championed human rights, openly attacking dictatorships, especially Nigeria’s military regimes. He criticized Africans, notably the upper class, for forsaking traditional culture. Fela’s legacy endures after his 1997 death, inspiring a new generation of activists who admire his resilience against tyranny.
9. Chinua Achebe
Chinua Achebe is a celebrated novelist, who is renowned for his honest portrayals of the upset caused by Western influences on traditional African society. His first book, “Things Fall Apart,” is a widely cherished masterpiece of modern African literature. Additionally, Achebe boldly backed the Biafra movement and even led the Biafra Broadcasting Service amid personal risks. He engaged in politics, supporting the People’s Redemption Party, aiming to reform Nigeria’s corrupt system, as seen in his book “The Trouble with Nigeria.” Likewise, he believed Nigeria’s leaders lacked accountability and true leadership, a sentiment he expressed in his book. Achebe is one of the activists Nigerian history will never forget due to his immeasurable contribution to the Nigerian political landscape, which can be seen in his books and active doings.
10. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Chimamanda who is a writer and novelist, is an active activist who is not shy to make her opinion known, in her writings and voicing her opinions. She is more of a feminist, as most of her writings and viewpoints concentrate on that angle. Amanda has a great influence over the younger generations who respect her work and see her as a literary icon. She has written some of the best pieces, like Half Of A Yellow Sun, Purple Hibiscus, and A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions among many of her other works.