10 outstanding Nigerian women forging UNSDG5 agenda

By Chioma Obinagwam

United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (UNSDG 5) focuses on gender equality in addition to empowering women and girls.

Confiance News gathered that it aims to achieve gender equality and eliminate all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls around the world.

Nigeria is one of the countries that is still struggling to achieve this goal, howbeit, it still has female citizens tirelessly attempting to bridge the wide gap of gender inequality by being exceptional in their careers.

One of such women is Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who is the first woman and African to hold the position of Director-General of World Trade Organization (WTO).

Another woman helping to solve this gender puzzle is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a prolific and multiple award winning writer whose works have been highly celebrated. Some of her books include: Purple Hibiscus, Half of a yellow sun, Americanah among others.

Dr Ijeoma Akunyili is an American-based medical practitioner who recently made history as the first African American to become Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at the Jersey City Medical.

She is also the daughter of the late Dora Akunyili, the former Director General (DG) of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems is a singer, songwriter and record producer. She is the first African artist to debut at number one in Billboard Hot 100.

Nigerian (Nigerian-American) born Dr. Wendy Okolo is the first black woman to obtain a Ph.D. degree in aerospace engineering from University of Texas at Arlington.

According to Wikipedia, a multilingual free online encyclopedia, she is an aerospace research engineer in the Intelligent Systems Division at NASA Ames Research Center and also the Special Emphasis Programs Manager for Women at Ames.

Dame Virginia Ngozi Etiaba was the first woman to serve as governor of a Nigerian state.

She became the governor of Anambra State, south-eastern Nigeria, following the impeachment of Peter Obi (who was the elected governor). A position she held for three months from November 2006 to February 2007. She was initially the deputy governor of the state.

Nigerian born Oluwatobiloba Ayomide “Tobi” Amusan  is the current World, Commonwealth and African champion in the 100 m hurdles, as well as the meet record holder in those three competitions.

She is a track and field athlete who specialises in the 100 metres hurdles and also competes as a sprinter.

Sandra Aguebor is Nigeria’s first female mechanic. She is the founder of the Lady Mechanic Initiative (LMI) and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sandex Car Care Garage

Folorunsho Alakija is Nigeria’s richest woman in Nigeria according to Forbes ranking. Her estimated net worth of $1 billion. She is an oil magnate and vice chairperson of Famfa Oil Exploration Company. Apart from the oil business, she runs printing and fashion businesses.

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