Nigerian politics have since the inception of democracy in 1999 have a higher influx of men holding positions of power compared to women. You rarely see women being the “boss” in any political arena, they are either relegated to the assistant duty. However, there are some women who have been able to break this barrier regardless and hold their own in the world of politics. They became equally stronger, powerful and influential and they have since they started their journey never looked back. We would be looking at some of those women in no particular order below…
Aisha Buhari: Aisha Buhari is a household name, not just for her relations with the President of Nigeria as his wife, but for her very vocal stance on political issues in the country. This woman has a voice and she uses it! A graduate of public administration from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and a holder of a post-graduate diploma in cosmetology and beauty, Aisha is a political activist and there is no holding her back. She is a board member of International human right with their head office in the United Kingdom. She publicly stated in 2016 that she will not support her husband for the second term if he fails to have a grip of the government. She has often times share revealing stories as to the prevalent corruption in the Nigerian political system. 
Dr Oby Ezekwesili: ‘Bring Back our girls’ convener, Mama due process is an unshakeable household name in the political arena. Trained chartered accountant, former vice president of Africa division of world bank, co-founder of transparency international (an organisation that fights corruption), former minister of Solid Minerals, Education, pioneer head of the Budget Monitoring and Price Intelligence Unit, Ezekwesili is definitely worth her onions. Notable is the fact that she contested for the recently conducted presidential election where she was very outspoken about various issues that affect the country. There is no mentioning influential women in politics without her name, she was and is a political role model to other women.
Aisha Alhassan: If you are keen to the Nigerian political scene, you definitely would know Mama Taraba. She was the first ever female governorship aspirant in Taraba. This was after she defeated former Governor Jolly Name to become the senator in 2011. To many, she is regarded as the political mother of Taraba state
Remi Tinubu: First ever Senator in Lagos state to become senator for three times, Remi Tinubu is a power broker and a strong political figure in Lagos and Nigeria. In a state where not many women are aspiring senators or even senators, Remi Tinubu is leading many in this department. A graduate of Education from the University of Ife, Remi was the first lady of Lagos state.
Gbemisola Saraki: Former senator from Kwara Central Senatorial District, Gbemisola Saraki is a power to reckon with in Kwara state and Nigeria at large. She was once rumoured to wanting to run for governorship election in Kwara state but based on some power play in the state, she could not. Regardless Gbemisola is very vocal in the Nigerian politics and she publicly declared her support for President Muhammadu Buhari during the last election as opposed to her brother and arch-rival, Bukola Saraki’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar. 
Photo Credit: KOKO TV NG
