Nigerian Women Are Taking the Lead—Globally and Locally! By Mogaji Wole Arisekola
Have you noticed? Nigerian women are no longer waiting for permission—they are taking the world by storm! From the bustling streets of Lagos to the global boardrooms of Geneva, they are shattering ceilings, breaking stereotypes, and rewriting the rules. It’s no longer a trend—it’s a revolution.
Across every sector—education, sports, technology, politics, business, literature, and diplomacy—Nigerian women are rising like never before. And they’re not just participating—they’re dominating. These women are not just making headlines; they are making history.
This bold and unapologetic rise is powered by legendary trailblazers like Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the iron lady of global economics and current Director-General of the World Trade Organization; Justice Olukayode Kekere-Ekun, the brilliant legal mind now presiding at Nigeria’s Supreme Court; Dr. Arunma Oteh, former Director-General of Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission and a global finance powerhouse; and Amina J. Mohammed, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, whose voice echoes in the most powerful rooms on Earth.
These women—and countless others—have proven beyond doubt that integrity, vision, and excellence are not defined by gender. They are rewriting the Nigerian narrative—one victory at a time.
In classrooms, young girls are outshining their peers, sweeping academic awards, and daring to dream even bigger than the generation before them.
In sports, queens like Asisat Oshoala, a five-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year, have risen from the streets of Nigeria to become global icons. And who can forget Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, whose pen is mightier than any sword—challenging patriarchy, empowering voices, and captivating millions with every word?
In science, women like Dr. Omowunmi Sadik, a trailblazer in chemistry and biosensors, are making breakthroughs that are transforming lives across continents. In business, Nigerian female entrepreneurs are building empires, disrupting industries, and creating wealth like never before. In tech, brilliant minds are coding the future, while mentoring a new generation of girls in STEM.
This is not a fluke. This is the future.
If Nigerian women can command respect and leadership on the global stage, why shouldn’t they lead at home? Why not a female president? Why not a female Senate majority? Why not more female governors, ministers, and captains of industry?
And to leaders who still doubt the value of Western education—like the Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Bala Mohammed—here’s the real question:
It’s no longer about whether Nigerian women are ready.
Is Nigeria ready for them?
The time for doubt, silence, and waiting is over. This is the era of bold, brilliant, unstoppable Nigerian women. They are not the leaders of tomorrow—they are the game-changers of today.
So, to every girl dreaming big, and every woman fighting for her space: keep rising.
The world is watching. The spotlight is yours.
Mogaji Wole Arisekola writes from Ibadan.
