African Women Who Fought for Accountability

4 women in the archive worked for accountability. They came from different countries and different centuries, but each of them saw a wrong that others accepted and set out to change it. Read their stories to see how the same cause looked from very different lives.

4 women in the archive

Portrait of Abike Dabiri-Erewa, NigeriaModern

Abike Dabiri-Erewa

Nigeria · 1962–present

Nigerian politician and former broadcaster; Chair of NIDCOM (Nigerians in Diaspora Commission). Advocate for diaspora engagement, accountability, and women in public life.

Diaspora affairsAccountability +2
Portrait of Aisha Yesufu, NigeriaModern

Aisha Yesufu

Nigeria · 1973–present

Co-convener of #BringBackOurGirls; prominent voice in End SARS protests. Nigerian activist for accountability, human rights, and good governance.

Human rightsAccountability +2
Portrait of Bilkisu Yusuf, NigeriaModern

Bilkisu Yusuf

Nigeria · 1952–2015

Nigerian journalist and editor; first female editor of a major Nigerian newspaper. Advocate for press freedom, women's rights, and peace; died in the 2015 Hajj stampede.

JournalismWomen's rights +2
Portrait of Hadiza Bala Usman, NigeriaModern

Hadiza Bala Usman

Nigeria · 1976–present

Nigerian activist and public servant; co-founder of Bring Back Our Girls and former MD of Nigerian Ports Authority. Advocate for accountability, transparency, and women in leadership.

GovernanceAccountability +2