Do you know who the first woman to drive a car in Nigeria was? She was a politician, activist for the rights of women, guru and teacher; her revolutionary ideas changed the rights of Nigerian women forever! This woman was one of the most prominent leaders and good examples of her generation! What is the name of the first woman to drive a car in Nigeria? The first woman in Nigeria to drive a car was Funmilayo Ransome Kuti. History recognizes her as the first female Nigerian political activist. She is also regarded as “The Mother of Africa”. She was a very influential politician who advocated for women rights in Nigeria. The West African Pilot described this woman as the “Lioness of Lisabi”. She is the mother of Fela Anikulapo Kuti and Beco Ransome Kuti. She is also the grandmother of Femi Kuti and Seun Kuti.
Funmilayo Ransome Kuti Biography: Her full name is Francis Abigail Olufunmilayo Thomas, she was born on October 25, 1900, to Lucretia Phyllis Omoyeni Adeosulu and Daniel Olumeyuwa Thomas; her hometown is Abeokuta. Abeokuta Grammar School was the first educational institution where this powerful woman started her education; she was so smart and talented that she decided to complete her education in England. Nonetheless, she also wanted to return to her country and provide knowledge to her people, that is why she became a teacher. She was married to Reverend Israel Oludotun Ransome-Kuti. They became husband and wife in 1925. She later became the leader of the Nigerian Union of Students and joined the Nigerian Union of Teachers.
Activism: She held the proactive position of an activist and educator in Nigeria; she actively fought for the freedom of women and that they are considered equal to men. She even started a campaign to help women get the right to drive a car. Her peak period of political activity was in the 1950th. She founded an organization of women located in Abeokuta. This organization involved about 20,000 women. Ransome Kuti activities were born out of her consciousness over the problems being faced by Nigerian women. She was involved in trading activities and observed that many other women in West-Africa worked in the trade sector; she, therefore, did her best to protect their rights in that area. In 1949, she headed a protest against the Alake of Egbaland.
With her help, the Federation of Nigerian Women Societies was founded in 1953. She was also involved in the formation and activities of the Women's International Democratic Federation. This strong woman even campaigned for the voices of women to be heard in the parliament; she also became a member of the ruling party in Nigeria at the time. She fought well in the political arena of Nigeria even after her suspension which reduced her influence in the politics of the country. In the 1950s, she became one of the House of Chiefs members; it was one of the most influential bodies in the country. She created the Abeokuta and Egba Women`s Union which consisted of 20,0000 women. She also organized different workshops for illiterate women. During the Cold War, the first Nigerian women who dared to sit in the driver's seat were those who had travelled around the world; therefore, Funmilayo Kuti decided to travel around the countries of the Eastern Bloc. These countries included the USSR, China and Hungary. Mao Zedong met with this strong Nigerian woman in 1956. These travels had clear political intentions, and that was why she had some problems with the West Bloc. Funmilayo Ransome Kuti was even denied the opportunity to renew her passport in her own country. She was banned from travelling to the USA and was declared a communist. She created the Commoners Peoples Party to challenge the ruling party NCNC. She was one of the most influential persons who negotiated for the independence of her country with the British authorities.
Death of Funmilayo Ransome Kuti: Funmilayo Ransome Kuti continued her political activism way into her old age. Her three sons created effective political warfare for various Nigerian Juntas; however, one of these political activists killed her. In 1978, 1000 military men stormed her home; she was beaten, injured and thrown from the third floor. She died from the injuries in a hospital.
N 5000 protests: On August 30, 2012, musician Seun Kuti, one of the grandsons of Ransome Kuti, accused the Federal Government of murdering her. Seun Kuti asked the Federal Government to apologize for that and immortalize her by placing her face on the N5000 banknote. The Federal Government of Nigeria did not give any response to these accusations. The N5000 note proposal was also withdrawn by the Nigerian Government.
The legacy of Funmilayo Ransome Kuti: Funmilayo Ransome Kuti was the first woman to drive a car in Nigeria! However, this would not be possible if she was not an active person in her lifetime. She was one of the ranking members of the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroon. She was marked as a communist for her travels. She was a leader of all Nigerian women. It is impossible to find another woman in her time who could have done all she did; therefore, her story is a clear example of all the great things a Nigerian woman can achieve in politics and life.