What is Nigerian feminism? Who does it speak for? Does contemporary Nigerian feminism reflect the realities of all Nigerian women? Does it include the voices and struggles of the masses of women who do not have economic freedom? What are some of the issues Nigerian feminism should include moving forward? In my latest article below,…
In order to decolonise democracy, an indigenous economics of language must thrive
I strongly believe that critical thinking can transform society, so I was captivated when I recently came across the National Policy on Education and discovered that it begins with a section titled “The Philosophy and Goals of Education in Nigeria.” I swooned as I continued to read the sub-section titled, “The Overall Philosophy of Nigeria.”…
She Called Me Woman: Nigeria’s Queer Women Speak
Cassava Republic Press is publishing a new book titled, ‘She Called Me Woman: Nigeria’s Queer Women Speak’ on 24 April. To commemorate the launch of this ground-breaking collection of first-hand narratives from a cross section of queer Nigerian Women, the publisher has organised a synchronised revealing of the book and its cover (pictured) across several platforms,…
In the age of the internet, there are no excuses for this cultural deficit
Being Nigerian sometimes feels like constantly inhabiting a dream. You witness a complex and multidimensional culture around you, yet representations of said culture are mostly one-dimensional and cartoon-like, if represented at all. From a historical perspective you could argue that due to the institutionalised hierarchies in the world, transcending the deficit between lived and portrayed culture…
Tradition matters for female farmers, and female farmers matter for everything.
Reposting my latest column for The Guardian Nigeria, which was there titled “When it comes to agriculture, we need to talk about tradition”. If you have any thoughts about this, leave a comment. Here’s what I had for breakfast some days ago: Akara and Fura yoghurt. For dinner that same day, I ate pounded yam with Efo…
Nigeria’s Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill – A case for modernity
Last week, the Nigerian senate voted against a Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill (GEO bill) proposed by senator Biodun Olujimi. While the Nigerian state protects citizens through its constitution, the GEO bill is a complementary protocol for equal rights for women in marriage, divorce, widowhood, property & land ownership and inheritance to name a few things….
Future Forward – Lights, Camera, Africa Film Festival
I’m excited to share that I am a media partner with the Lights, Camera, Africa Film Festival with the theme: Future Forward. The 5th edition of the festival is taking place from 30 September, 2015 to 4 October, 2015 at Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, Nigeria. The aim of the partnership is to expose African and global audiences to quality independent African cinema…
A discussion with Nawal El Saadawi and other upcoming talks
Next month, I will be in discussion with one of my biggest role models, the renowned Egyptian writer Nawal El Saadawi. The impact El Saadawi has had on my work (and my life!) is profound, I intensely admire her achievements as a writer, intellectual, feminist, philosopher and activist. In fact, I live by one of her wisdoms. She says: “Words should…
Intellectual development is as important as economic development
If I could change only one thing when it comes to African affairs, it would be that we focus on intellectual development as much as we focus on economic development. I made this argument, among others, in an interview with Charles Aniagolu on “Talking Africa”, ARISE TV’s weekly programme on current affairs last week. Check it out below….
Islamophobia in Europe and in Africa should not be conflated
Fifteen years ago, before 9/11, hardly anyone used the term ‘Islamophobia’. Today, the term is used all the time, especially by liberals, but rarely with an accompanying reflection of its corresponding relationship to the ongoing “war against terror”. Islamophobia is discussed as though it appeared out of nowhere. And not, as it were, as a term that firmly…
Citizens and women – two neglected words in Nigeria’s elections
Nigerians have experienced some of the most unstable five years in their country’s history under the rule of President Goodluck Jonathan. Not so much because the problems we face today – such as poor infrastructure, oil corruption and terrorism – have not previously existed but because there is a heightened sense of awareness among citizens, a…
African men, are you still not listening?
Hey, it’s the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Violence against women is ginormous, ginormous, ginormous. It is so ginormous that the UN says it is a global pandemic. Other examples of global pandemics are Ebola, HIV and Bob Geldof. Due to its enormity I am thinking this post will be about how it is possible that male…
Decolonisation, feminism, blogging, sexuality, poetry…discussion topics with the African Book Review
Sharing a link to an interview of mine posted at the African Book Review earlier this week. We covered a lot: decolonisation, African feminism, blogging, sexuality, poetry and more. I hope you like it, I put a lot into it. Minna Salami: An Interview with the Creator of Ms. Afropolitan Let me know if you have any…
When it comes to the bride price app there is only one word. No.
This post is inspired by a piece CNN published on Wednesday about the Nigerian bride price app, an app/quiz which calculates the marital value of a woman by pricing attributes such as her height, weight, beauty, cooking skills, education and dialect. All in jest, yeah, the app, as the site’s disclaimer says is, “a joke, and…
Reading Wole Soyinka’s ‘Of Africa’ in times of Boko Haram
As reckless forces of terror-driven religious fundamentalism ravage Nigeria we would be wise to remember the insights of the ancestors. Unfortunately, as Soyinka argues in his most recent book, Of Africa, Africa as we know it today, “remains the monumental fiction of European creativity” marked by a type of religiosity that is a “destabilising agent”;…
What makes African women’s art feminist?
It has been said that artistry in Africa is an intrinsic part of life rather than a commercial or careerist enterprise. I’d say that this notion is not only applicable to African art, all across the world art has explored the sensitivities of life and the social environment. However, it is in this process of examining life…