Pauline Amos, a philanthropist, is also a prominent member of the opposition coalition in Akwa Ibom State. She hails from Mkpat Enin local government area and she is a frontline House of Representatives’ 2027 aspirant.
As a firm believer and investor in humanitarian services, Pauline is the Founder/CEO of The Pauline Amos Foundation.
In this thought-provoking analysis, Pauline gives insights on the need for women inclusion in politics, and why the stereotype as it borders the feminine gender, must be exterminated.
She asserts that, Africa’s story began with women who ruled kingdoms, fought colonizers and faced dictators without fear.
Enjoy the excerpts:
The Genesis:
Before colonial lines were drawn and patriarchy took hold, Africa thrived under systems where women were not only respected — they ruled. From the Kingdom of Kush to Benin, Ashanti, and Yoruba lands, matrilineal societies celebrated balance — power shared between kings and queens, chiefs and queen mothers, fathers and mothers of nations.
Women were leaders, warriors, judges, and spiritual guides. Their leadership was rooted in wisdom, nurture, and justice — the true foundations of governance.
Africa’s Great Matriarchs: Women Who Wore the Crown
Queen Amina of Zazzau (Nigeria): A 16th-century warrior queen who expanded her territory and strengthened Hausa trade. Her reign brought order and progress; her walls of defense still stand in history.
Queen Nzinga Mbande of Ndongo and Matamba (Angola): The defiant 17th-century monarch who fought Portuguese invasion for four decades, proving strategy and diplomacy are feminine strengths.
Hatshepsut (Ancient Egypt): The pharaoh who reigned for 20 years, building temples, trade routes, and a peaceful, prosperous Egypt.
Yaa Asantewaa (Ashanti Kingdom, Ghana): The Queen Mother who led the 1900 Ashanti Rebellion against the British. “If the men are afraid to fight, we will fight,” she declared and she did.
Kandake Amanirenas (Kingdom of Kush, Sudan): The one-eyed Nubian queen who led her armies against Rome around 25 BCE, defending her kingdom’s sovereignty.
Moremi Ajasoro (Yoruba Kingdom, Nigeria): A queen of Ile-Ife who used her intelligence and sacrifice to save her people, becoming an icon of courage and selflessness.
A few to mention among the many powerful women that lived and ruled in Africa.
From Matrilineal to Marginalized
Across Africa, matrilineal inheritance made women custodians of continuity and mediators of peace. But colonization and imported patriarchal systems silenced that equilibrium. The leadership torch dimmed but it was never extinguished.
Even when barred from thrones, women found new thrones: the streets, the unions, the movements. And from there, they led revolutions.
Post-Colonial Nigerian Women Who Fought Fearlessly
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (1900–1978)
Known as “The Lioness of Lisabi,” she was the first Nigerian woman to drive a car and one of the country’s earliest feminists. She led the Abeokuta Women’s Union, mobilizing thousands of women against unfair taxes and colonial policies. Her activism helped abolish oppressive levies and sparked Nigeria’s wider independence movement.
Margaret Ekpo (1914–2006)
A fiery nationalist and politician, she organized women across ethnic lines to fight for equal representation. She co-founded the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) Women’s Wing and served in the Eastern Regional House of Assembly — one of the first women to hold such a seat in Nigeria.
Hajia Gambo Sawaba (1933–2001)
Fearless and outspoken, Gambo Sawaba was jailed over 16 times for her activism. She fought for women’s education, against child marriage, and for political participation in Northern Nigeria — a region where women’s voices were heavily suppressed.
Chief (Mrs.) Olufunmilayo Olayinka
Deputy Governor of Ekiti State (2010–2013), she brought integrity, transparency, and innovation to governance before her passing — continuing the legacy of fearless female leadership.
Kudirat Abiola (1951–1996)
A symbol of resistance during Nigeria’s military dictatorship. Following her husband’s imprisonment for winning the 1993 presidential election, she became the face of pro-democracy activism. Her assassination by state agents in 1996 turned her into a martyr for justice and courage.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (b. 1954)
Though not a street protester, her courage lies in governance — from fighting corruption as Nigeria’s Finance Minister to becoming Director-General of the World Trade Organization. She stands as proof that women lead fearlessly, whether in politics or policy.
These women didn’t just fight governments — they fought systems. They embodied the same fearless spirit that once built kingdoms and led empires.
The Numbers Tell the Modern Story
In Nigeria’s 10th National Assembly(2023–2027):
Only 4 women serve in the Senate out of 109 seats — 3.7% representation.
15 women serve in the House of Representatives out of 360 seats — 4.17%.
Together, that’s just 4.2% of the legislative body.
Across Africa, women’s representation averages 27.2%, led by Rwanda (61%), South Africa (46%), and Namibia (44%) — nations that reflect what’s possible when inclusion is intentional.
Nigeria, with its proud history of queens and revolutionaries, must rise to meet that legacy.
Why Women’s Inclusion Matters — Then and Now
Africa’s matrilineal systems were about balance. They proved that leadership thrives when women share power — as thinkers, warriors, and nurturers.
From ancient queens like Amina to modern leaders like Ireti Kingibe, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, and Hadiza Balarabe, women continue to redefine governance with empathy and excellence.
When women lead, societies heal.
Restoring the Balance
To reclaim Africa’s matrilineal legacy, we must:
Challenge structural barriers that sideline women.
Educate and mentor girls into leadership early.
Empower women economically to compete politically.
Preserve and teach African female history — so girls know they descend from queens.
We are not introducing women to power; we are returning them to it.
The Pauline Amos Foundation’s Vision
At the Pauline Amos Foundation, we honor Africa’s matrilineal legacy by nurturing the next generation of fearless women. Through education, empowerment, and advocacy, we are building bridges between the women who ruled, the women who resisted, and the girls who will rise.
Because Africa was once led by her women — and she will be again.
Call to Action: Reclaim Her Seat at the Table
Africa’s story began with women who ruled kingdoms, fought colonizers, and faced dictators without fear. Their daughters must now continue that legacy.
Join the Pauline Amos Foundation — empower girls, mentor women, and build a future where leadership is shared.
Follow us — Pauline Amos Ibude & The Pauline Amos Foundation — to stay part of this movement.
Support women who lead. Vote for them. Celebrate them. Be one of them.
The matrilineal spirit of Africa is not lost — it lives in every girl who dreams of power and every woman who dares to lead.
