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Abstract

For over six decades of Nigeria's independence, history has continued to place the role of women in the decolonization process in Nigeria in a state of oblivion. Such obloquy on Nigerian women is the primary concern of this research. This paper raises questions on the impositions of Herbert Macaulay as the father of Nigerian nationalism. Historical evidence points to the direction that King Jaja of Opobo, Nana of itshekiri and Oba Ovaranwen, were the pioneer nationalists because of their resistance struggle against British colonial rule. Yet they were not acclaimed fathers of the nationalist movement in Nigeria. With the huge demographic loss of women in the decolonialisation process, the activities of Magret Ekpo, Janet Mokelu, Funmilayo Ransom Kuti, there would have been a sense of equity if any of them has been placed as the mother of Nigeria nationalism. This historical loophole is the concern of this paper, to redirect our focus on the decolonization history of Nigeria, by examining the extent of doctored gender imbalance, in pursuing the objectives of securing independence in Nigeria. This paper has been written based on primary data retrieved from the National Archives in Nigeria and secondary materials in journals and books using the historical narrative style of methodology.

Author Biography

Department of History and International Studies, University of Nigeria,Nsukka, ucheokonkwo2007@yahoo.com. Uche Uwaezuoke Okonkwo holds a PhD in History and Strategic Studies, University of Lagos,Nigeria. He teaches Social and Economic History at the University of Nigeria,Nsukka.

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