Meet The 9 Women At The Fore Front Of The #EndSARS Protest In Nigeria
Since the EndSARS protest began in Nigeria over a week ago, some women have been at the forefront mobilising and making sure their voices are heard.
A group of young Nigerian feminists formed in July 2020 known as Feminist Coalition (which most of the women on this list are a part of) also took it upon themselves to
Feminist Coalition, a newly formed women-led NGO campaigning for gender equality in Nigeria(which most of the women on this list are a part of) that has also been at the forefront of the protests said it had crowdfunded more than N73 million (as at Oct 18) to support the movement with first aid supplies, masks, food, water, hospital bills for injured protesters, and more.
The group members have also been involved in the release of detained protesters and the provision of legal counsel to those still under arrest.
Here are nine women championing the EndSars protest.
1.Aisha Yesufu
The name ‘Aisha Yesufu’ is not new to activism and the fight for justice in Nigeria. The socio-political activist has been at the forefront since the EndSars protest began as she said she “would not leave the fight for her children.
Yesufu first came to limelight as the Co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls movement in honour of the abducted Chibok girls in 2014 and was among the women protestors that stormed the National Assembly, in the nation’s capital, Abuja.
She holds a degree in Microbiology from Bayero University, Kano but hails from Edo state.
The 46-year-old is happily married with two children.
2. Olorunrinu Oduala(Savvy Rinu)
Popularly known as Savvy Rinu, the human rights activist and media strategist is one of the leading forces in the campaign for End SARS and better governance in Nigeria.
She holds a first degree in Chemistry from the Lagos State University.
Rinu first made impact during the COVID-19 lockdown with her project #OperationSanitize where she volunteered the making of hand sanitizers, using her knowledge as a chemist. She also encouraged members of the public to donate and contribute to securing the needed materials.
The movement was able to distribute 50,000 free hand-sanitizers to rural communities in Nigeria.
3. Odunayo Eweniyi
Odun Eweniyi is also another formidable force in the EndSars protest by actively using her platform and company to contribute to the ongoing donations and crowdfunding for protesters.
Odun holds a first-class in Computer Engineering from Covenant University and currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Finance at the SOAS University of London.
A feminist to the core, she is the Co-founder and COO of PiggyVest, (formerly PiggyBank) an online savings platform created in 2016. She also previously founded PushCV, one of the largest job sites in Africa.
She is also the Co-founder of Wine and Whine Nigeria, a community for women to whine and fight patriarchy while sipping on some wine.
Odun is a recipient of many awards. She won the Future Africa Awards Prize in Technology in 2018, and was named on the list of Forbes Africa 30 under 30 Technology and also one of 30 Quartz Africa Innovators both in 2019.
She was also named one of 100 most inspiring women in Nigeria in 2019 by Leading Ladies Africa.
4. Feyikemi Abudu (FK Abudu)
Quite vocal on social media especially Twitter for her stance on feminism, FK Abudu has been instrumental to the EndSars protest mobilising and crowdfunding resources for the protesters all over the country.
She has a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University College of London and also a certificate in Entrepreneurial Studies from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
FK worked briefly at She Leads Africa in 2016 as their VP of Business Development and Programmes. She currently co-hosts a podcast called ‘I Said What I Said’ with her friend Jola Ayeye and runs Caya house, a consultancy firm.
Abudu also comes from a well-connected lineage in Nigeria. Her mother, Ekua is the proprietress of Greenwood House School, Ikoyi, one of the foremost preparatory schools in Lagos while her father, Wale Abudu, a lawyer, is the son of Chief Ayinla Olatunde Abudu, who is the Mayegun of Egbaland. Her grandmother, Modupe Sagoe, is the doyenne of textile business in Nigeria.
5. Modupe Odele (Moe Odele)
Known for her insightful tips on finance, investment, technology and law, Moe has been using her expertise as an attorney to mobilise and deploy lawyers to lend legal support and release of unlawfully arrested protesters during the EndSars protest.
Moe has a Law degree from the Lagos State University(LASU) and a Masters in Law from Columbia University where she specialised in Business, Human Rights, Technology, and Venture Capital Law.
She is the founder of Scale My Hustle, a platform that helps entrepreneurs grow their businesses, and a Partner at Vazi Legat, a foremost African law firm.
6. Kiki Mordi
If you remember the Sex For Grades documentary that went viral in 2019, then the name ‘Kiki Mordi’ definitely rings a bell.
The investigative journalist has utilised her skills and knowledge in the media sector by organising the protest in parts of the country while also supporting journalists covering the protest.
Kiki got admission into the University of Nigeria (UNN) to study medicine but dropped out due to sexual harrassment.
She is a recipient of many local and international awards which include Her Network Online Woman Of The Year Award in 2019, Journalist of the Year at the People Journalism Prize for Africa in 2019, Gage Awards Recipient For Online Documentary of The Year in 2020 and One Young World Journalist Of The Year Award in 2020.
7. Boluwatife Soloye (Tife Soloye)
The media and communications strategist who has never hidden her passion for feminism at various times has been lending her voice consistently making sure the needs of the protesters are being met.
Tife holds a first degree in International Relations from Covenant University. In 2018, she won a Chevening Scholarship to study for a Master’s degree in Communication and Media Studies at London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
She currently works with Tangerine Life, an insurance outfit in Lagos and volunteers for a number of Non-Governmental Organisations(NGOs) in Nigeria.
8. Funmi Oyatogun
Funmi Oyatogun, a travel consultant and entrepreneur has supported the protest with logistics for food and medical services in Lagos and other parts of the country.
She has a Bachelor’s degree in Geography and environmental Studies from University of Colorado. She went on to study Environment and Development for her masters at the University of Edinburgh in 2014 after she won a Chevening Scholarship.
Funmi currently runs TVP adventures, a travel company which she started in 2016.
9. Aderonke Rene Ahmed (Rene Noire)
Rene has played a key role in the EndSars especially online by mobilising members of the online community on Twitter to lend their voices and report emergencies towards the movement.
Her unconvential views on marriage, submission and feminism has always made her a subject of discussion on social media.
Rene is an entrepreneur and the founder of Visit A Hospital, an NGO that caters to the needs of hospital patients who can’t afford to pay their medical bills.
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