Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti: Courage, Justice, and the Power of Women’s Voices

by Blessing Simon

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was one of the most fearless women in Nigeria’s history. She was an educator, activist, and a true believer in equality at a time when women were expected to stay silent. Reading about her life made me see how deeply humanism connects with feminism. She lived by reason, fairness, and the belief that women, just like men, deserve full dignity and freedom.

Some important ideas and contributions;

Fighting against colonial injustice and unfair taxation.

Funmilayo led the Abeokuta Women’s Union, a movement that fought against the unfair taxes imposed by British colonial authorities and local rulers on women traders. Thousands of women, inspired by her, protested until the corrupt king was forced to step down. She showed that even those considered powerless could organize and make real change through unity and courage.

Advocating for women’s education and political rights.

She believed education was the key to liberation, especially for women. As one of Nigeria’s first female students to study abroad, she returned home to teach and empower others. She also campaigned for women’s suffrage, demanding that women be allowed to vote and hold office. This was decades before Nigerian independence, yet she already saw that no democracy could be complete without women’s voices.

Promoting equality beyond religion and tradition.

Funmilayo challenged not only colonial power but also the cultural and religious systems that kept women submissive. She didn’t base her activism on scripture or tradition but on the idea of justice and human worth. In that sense, her values were deeply humanist, she placed reason, equality, and compassion above dogma.

My reflections, thoughts, and reactions;

As a humanist, I feel a strong connection to her fight for fairness without needing divine approval. Her activism shows that we don’t need religion to know what is right. Justice, dignity, and equality are human responsibilities. I admire how she faced threats and insults yet never gave up. She was not motivated by reward in heaven but by love for people and belief in their power to change their own lives.

Her story also reminds me of how courage can be contagious. Because of her, women across Nigeria began to see themselves as leaders and thinkers, not just wives or traders. Even today, in many parts of Africa, women still face discrimination justified by religion or tradition. Funmilayo’s life challenges that mindset — she proved that progress only comes when people question unjust customs and stand for reason.

I fully agree with her message. A society that silences women cannot develop. Like her, I believe education is the strongest weapon for equality. She used it to open minds and raise a generation of strong women, including her son, Fela Kuti, who carried on her spirit of resistance.

Conclusion:

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti’s life is a reminder that the fight for justice begins with simple truth, all humans deserve freedom and respect. Her bravery and reason based activism reflect the best of humanist values: empathy, equality, and self-determination. As a humanist and African woman, I see her as proof that faith in humanity is stronger than any belief in gods.