Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti

Born Frances Abigail Olufunmilayo Thomas, she was one of the first Nigerian women to drive a car and attend an all-girls grammar school, setting a precedent for breaking barriers. She later dropped her Christian names, embracing her Yoruba heritage, a move that delighted her son, Fela Kuti, who would continue her legacy of cultural pride and political defiance.

A fierce anti-colonialist and suffragette, Ransome-Kuti rallied thousands of women in Nigeria against unfair taxation and governmental corruption, often clashing directly with British authorities and traditional male leaders. Her activism led to the abdication of a powerful king and helped establish women's suffrage in Nigeria, proving that a woman's place is wherever she decides to make a stand, preferably while demanding equal rights.

Her dedication to human rights extended globally, making her a prominent figure in international women's movements. The British, however, were less impressed, finding her "communist leanings" rather inconvenient for their colonial agenda. Still, it's hard to argue with results: she was one of the most important figures in Nigeria's fight for independence and a champion for the rights of its women.