By Chinazam Ikechi-Uko.

She is in a golden brown two-piece straight from the Tom Ford SS24 collection with a lower back length brunette wig. She is the global Afrobeats sensation, Ayra Starr. She is on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to make her US television debut for her latest album, The Year I Turned 21. Although now a 22-year-old, Starr rocks the stage like a tornado with a medley of her songs Last Heartbreak Song and Woman Commando.

Kicking it off with a Portuguese intro by the Brazilian queen of pop, Anitta. “Woman Commando” by Ayra Starr is a powerful anthem celebrating women’s strength, independence, and confidence. It’s a song empowering women to own their sexuality, bodies, and choices. The song challenges societal norms and expectations, projecting the image of a woman who is in control, fearless, and unapologetically herself. “Girls plenty for my table side, another set still dey come from house. Nobody’s gon’ be left behind as a lioness I dey move with squad.”

Essentially, it’s a declaration of women’s power and a call for them to embrace their inner strength. That is what it means to follow a Woman Comando. 

At a time in Nigeria where the average citizen’s morale is low. These words from Starr can become motivational as they encourage an unabashed approach to one’s independence. Starr rarely takes on political stances but her stance on a woman’s right to dress is crystal.  I just want to be known as that person that worked hard for her people — for Africa,” says Ayra Starr in a Teen Vogue interview. “I want to be known as the girl that inspired confidence in young girls around the world.”

She also spoke out against the Headies Award after the ceremony did not announce its female categories on stage. “I will never be grateful for winning a category that wasn’t even deemed fit to be announced on stage!” Starr once expressed on X after the 16th edition of the Headies Award.

She refuses to cave into critics who find her mini skirts immoral and demands equal recognition as her male peers. The history of women standing up for themselves and their people in Nigeria is vast but here are a few women in Nigerian history that have embodied this. Tell am say na woman commando…

Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti:

The mother of Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti (1900-1978) was more than the first woman to drive a car in Nigeria. She was also the first female student to attend the Abeokuta Grammar School. More than that, she was a pioneer feminist and activist who fought for women’s rights and independence. She was a leading figure in the anti-colonial struggle. In the 1940s, she founded the Abeokuta Women’s Union, which later evolved into the Federation of Nigerian Women’s Societies. These organizations were at the forefront of the fight for women’s rights, challenging oppressive colonial laws and demanding equal representation in government.

Queen Idia:

Afrobeats singer, Rema has become one of the pivotal figures to come out of Benin, Edo State. His ethnicity is something he holds so dear that every concept he unveils is tied to the city. However, his sold-out concert at the O2 Arena in London, UK, was met with harsh criticism as many assumed he was performing a ritual. As snow to winter so is an Illuminati accusation to an emerging global star. However, Rema was portraying a real figure, a historical one that hails from Benin.

Queen Idia was a formidable figure in the history of the Benin Kingdom, now part of Nigeria. She lived during the Idah War (1515 – 1516). She is celebrated for her intelligence, courage, and profound influence on the kingdom’s rise to prominence. Idia was the mother of Oba Esigie, a powerful king of Benin. Idia was a skilled warrior, she led troops into battle and played a crucial role in the kingdom’s military victories. “Queen Idia was instrumental in securing the title of Oba for her son Esigie following the death of his father Oba Ozolua. To that end, she raised an army to fight off his brother Arhuaran who was supposed to be the Oba by right and tradition but was subsequently defeated in battle.” Her Wikipedia page states.

Moremi Ajasoro:

Moremi Ajasoro is a legendary figure in Yoruba history, revered for her courage, sacrifice, and intelligence. She is said to have lived in the 12th century in the kingdom of Ile-Ife, now in modern-day Nigeria. The kingdom of Ile-Ife was under constant threat from the Ugbo people, a mysterious group who raided the city, capturing its people, especially women and children. To end the suffering of her people, Moremi made the heart-wrenching decision to be captured by the Ugbo. She endured captivity to learn their secrets and weaknesses. Upon her escape, Moremi shared her knowledge with the Ile-Ife army, leading to a decisive victory over the Ugbo. However, the terms of her release involved sacrificing her beloved son. Despite this tragic end, Moremi’s bravery and sacrifice are celebrated in Yoruba folklore. She is a symbol of heroism, selfless love, and the power of the human spirit.

Queen Amina of Zaria:

Long ago in the 16th century, there lived a legendary ruler of the Kingdom of Zazzau (now Zaria) in Northern Nigeria. Amina (1533-1610) was a warrior queen who significantly expanded the territory of the Zazzau Kingdom. “It is recorded that the Emir of Kano offered her 50 bags of white and blue cloth, 50 female slaves, and 50 male slaves, but Amina refused to marry or have children.” Black Post reports. She led numerous military campaigns, conquering neighbouring states and building a formidable army. Beyond her military achievements, Amina was a skilled administrator. She reformed the tax system, promoted agriculture, and ensured justice and order within her kingdom.

Dora Akunyili:

Nigeria has had various arcs and its citizens have experienced unimaginable situations; one of these included their inability to purchase medicine. This was not because the medicine has unreasonable prices as they do now, but because one could never guarantee the drug’s authenticity.

An article by the Centre for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection states, “Prior to 2001, Nigeria was the main market for counterfeit drugs in sub-Saharan Africa; as a result, neighbouring countries responded by banning all pharmaceutical products made in Nigeria (Bate, 2008b).”

That arc came to an end in part thanks to Dora Akunyili (1954-2014) who served as the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) from 2001 to 2008. Under her leadership, NAFDAC launched a vigorous campaign against counterfeit drugs, saving countless lives. After her tenure at NAFDAC, she served as the Minister of Information and Communication. Her legacy continues to inspire and influence public health policies in Nigeria and beyond.