Remembering Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti

African revolutionary activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was born on October 25, 1900. If the fountain of youth were available, she would be 124 years old today! Her legacy is one for the books, and her life story is truly worth telling.

Funmilayo was a tireless champion for civil rights during Nigeria’s anti-colonial struggles. She founded the Abeokuta Women’s Union, which had over 20,000 members and fought hard for female political representation and access to education throughout the country.

Funmilayo was a formidable force who refused to back down. Her remarkable activism for women’s rights earned her well-deserved respect. She tirelessly fought against unjust taxes and demanded equal representation for women in decision-making, including the fundamental right to vote. Leading a powerful protest march of nearly 10,000 women against unfair market taxes that affected them, she amplified her influence, inspiring change both in Nigeria and beyond. Her extensive travels allowed her to establish branches of the Nigerian Women’s Union, further solidifying her impact.

Not only was Funmilayo a revolutionary in her own right, but she was also a devoted mother. Her son, the pan-African revolutionary and musician Fela Kuti, often credited her as his inspiration. He recalls her leading marches against the British regime, particularly the time she led a protest against the local colonial administration. During that protest, an arrogant White official insulted her, but she stood her ground, calling him a “rude little rat” and a “b*stard.” Fela later shared, “Imagine insulting the highest representative of the British imperial crown in Abeokuta; oh man! I was proud. People in Abeokuta talked about nothing else but that incident.”

However, Funmilayo’s courageous activism faced severe backlash during a time when Nigeria’s brutal military reigned supreme. On February 18, 1977, around 1,000 soldiers stormed the home of her son, Fela Kuti. In a shocking act during the raid, Kuti’s 76-year-old mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, was violently thrown from a second-story window. She suffered injuries that ultimately led to her death at the General Hospital in Lagos on April 13, 1978.

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was a force to be reckoned with. Her unwavering commitment to justice was also recognized when she was honoured with the traditional title of “Beere,” meaning “first of equals”—a title reserved for pioneering female leaders. On what would have been her 124th birthday, we celebrate her life, her legacy, and the impact she continues to have. Happy birthday, Mama Funmilayo. May you continue to rest in peace and power!