Arewa Women: Breaking Barriers

“If you educate a man, you educate an individual, if you educate a woman, you educate a family, a nation”, was coined by Malcolm X. It is an old African proverb. Prehistorically, men have always dominated virtually every sphere of life, not just education.

The 20th Century however has witnessed a huge drive for the education of the girl-child especially in sub-Saharan Africa. This has tipped the scale quite dramatically as we arguably have a balance of the number of educated persons irrespective of gender.

Northern Nigeria, which had been identified as lagging behind in western education, has had to deploy an invigorated approach towards educating its female population, as the norm of treating women as marriage material only, went through a renaissance. Islam encourages Muslims, not just the menfolk, but every person, to seek education. Generally the North may still be contending with more out-of- school children, but on the balance of it all, the level, quality and depth of western education in the North, is not only comparable to that of Southern Nigeria; but can contest with that of many other regions of the civilised world.

Impressively, over time, Arewa has carried it’s womenfolk along, in a highstakes quest for education in an era of technological advancements. From the decades of handing out seats and positions to women for inclusion, Arewa women have shown remarkable developments in their skills, capacities and qualifications, driving them to compete with the menfolk.

Since the country’s return to democracy in 1999, I dare to say that Arewa women have never had it better. They are now reaping the fruits of their labour over the years. Previously, they’d attend the same schools, earn the same degrees, and possess the same expertise as their male counterparts, yet miss out on positions and appointments they are eminently qualified for. Under the current administration, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) has given opportunities and appointments to Arewa women, more than we have ever witnessed. These appointments have come on merit. Their scholarship, stewardship and commitment to nation-building are being recognised.

Across different professions and fields of study or work, today, you find highly placed Arewa women as chief executives, chairpersons, vice chancellors, and other similar positions. Arewa women in this administration have said that it is “awa lokan” (our turn), and Mr. President has obliged them.

Arewa has this long retinue of high ranking officials including Hadiza Bala Usman as Special Adviser, who “evaluates” all ministers for Mr. President. You’d agree with him that a lady would do a more diligent job. Iman Suleiman of course, is the Minister of Women Affairs, and Hannatu Musawa is the Minister of Culture, Arts and Tourism. Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad is Minister of State for Education, and Dr. Mahmoud Mariya is also Minister of State for FCT. Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas is the Special Adviser to the President on Health. All these are cabinet members.

Others include Hajiya Aisha Garba, the new Executive Secretary of UBEC, and Hajiya Aisha Bakari, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). Aisha Rimi is the Executive Secretary/CEO of Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), while Haj. Halima Kyari is the Chairman of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM). The Director-General National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is Zubaida Umar, and Dr. Amina Hassan is the Chief Medical Director, National Eye Centre. Fatima Shinkafi was reappointed Executive Secretary, Solid Minerals Development Fund, and Prof. Fatima Kyari is Registrar/CEO, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. You will also find quite a number of Arewa women as CMDs of different Federal Medical Centres across the country that were appointed by this administration.

The emphasis on girl-child education in the North, especially in the health sector has yielded fruits. Not forgetting the indefatigable Prof. Aisha Maikudi who also made it as vice chancellor (VC), Yakubu Gowon University (aka University of Abuja). This not counting the very numerous EDs, and board memberships where we have a high proliferation of Arewa women.

All of these Arewa amazons are professionals in their own right and have deserved these appointments. They have been good ambassadors of Arewa and have excelled in their careers. Their appointments have therefore come on merit. They are also a symbolisation of a global phenomenon that is upending the regime where certain job hierarchies are the exclusive reserve of men.

Women are attaining those career heights where they ultimately get to be recognised as experts and specialists, with the cognate experience necessary to run those offices. Their peers as men with far less qualification or experience attain these positions due to gender inequality.

But the tide is changing and the climate afforded them by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is quite favourable. Those heights are no longer dizzying and cloudy. All they need do, is to continue to excel in their different professions. The barriers that traditionally limited their participation and longevity in service to their nation, are gradually being eroded by policies in governance, that are opening up new frontiers for them.