IWD: ASIRI Magazine Unveils Her Story of Nigeria Project with Pop-Up Show

Yinka Olatunbosun

A maze of portraits celebrating iconic Nigerian women greeted guests at the Ikoyi residence of the British Deputy High Commission, setting the stage for the formal launch of a landmark educational and historical legacy project. The initiative aims to create a living digital archive dedicated to documenting and celebrating the history of women in Nigeria.

In commemoration of International Women’s Day (IWD) and Commonwealth Day, ASIRI Magazine, in partnership with the British Deputy High Commission, unveiled “HerStory of Nigeria: Women, Power and Protest in Lagos (1910–1950)” on March 9. The project seeks to highlight the contributions of Nigerian women to the nation’s socio-political history, reclaiming their place within the broader Commonwealth narrative of agency and social change.

Welcoming attendees, Simon Field, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos, described the project as a valuable opportunity to deepen cooperation across priorities such as security, migration, and shared economic growth, while showcasing a modern, ambitious Commonwealth partnership.

“As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I must emphasise that women and girls are and continue to be a true priority for the UK, Commonwealth, and government partners,” Field added.

The formal launch coincides with a 15-day digital campaign across ASIRI Magazine’s platforms, sharing archival highlights and educational content to reach a global audience.

Project Director Dr. Oludamola Adebowale reflected on how his personal journey—from familial influences to national interest—sparked the initiative to document Nigerian women’s histories. Addressing a predominantly young audience, he emphasised the importance of structured, well-researched storytelling:

“There’s so much in current history we need to structure properly. It’s not just about telling the story, but telling it with proper research and adequate information.”

Drawing from his work on films such as Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and The Man Died, Adebowale highlighted his long-standing commitment to restoring unsung female heroes to the centre of Nigeria’s historical framework.

“We started 13 years ago promoting Nigerian history on social media. Six years ago, we began focusing on the narratives of Nigerian women who have been historically overlooked. Social media has become a vital platform for ensuring women’s voices are heard—not just about the past, but also in the present.”

The HerStory of Nigeria project aims to preserve and foreground women’s contributions, struggles, leadership, and cultural impact from the 18th century to today. Through rigorous research, documentation, and storytelling, the initiative will create an accessible platform housing photographs, documents, oral histories, and archival materials that illuminate the central role of women in shaping Nigeria’s past and present.

The launch also featured a panel discussion exploring how early exposure to women’s stories inspires leadership and civic consciousness among young girls.

The initiative is supported by partners including Zapphaire Events, IHS Nigeria, BellaNaija, and Lanre Shasore.

Speaking on the state of women’s safety, Dr. Princess Olufemi-Kayode, criminal justice psychologist, child rights activist, and Executive Director of Media Concern for Women and Children Initiative (MEDIACON), warned that safe spaces for women and girls are increasingly under threat.

“The so-called safe places are not so safe anymore. Abuse occurs even in churches and mosques. But we have trained personnel to address sexual violence at our centre,” she said.