Paper short abstract:

This paper explores the dynamics of feminist protests and movements in contemporary Nigeria. It analyses feminist protests in Nigeria, the embodiment of the protests, the changing dynamics and how the internet has become a safe space for feminists and revolutionizing protests.

Paper long abstract:

This paper explores the dynamics of feminist protests and movements in contemporary Nigeria. African women have long been active in feminist struggles and pushing forward the feminist agenda. Contrary to the preconceived misconception that feminism was imported into Africa from the West, African women have been fighting for equal positions of women in the religious, domestic, and political spheres during pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial eras. From the eras of Queen Amina of Zaria to Funmilayo Kuti, Nigerian women have been at the forefront of challenging patriarchal norms. Street movements and protests are a defining part of the feminist movement in Nigeria and the focus of the protests is as multifaceted as their oppressions- colonialism, neoliberalism, capitalism, neo-colonialism and patriarchal oppressions. Yet there is little literature that explores the dynamics of these protests. In this paper, I examine feminist protests in Nigeria, the embodiment of the protests, the changing dynamics and how the internet has become a safe space for feminists and revolutionizing protests. Using existing literature, media and digital sources, I analyze a series of feminist protests in Nigeria such as ‘Justice for Titilayo’, ‘#ArewaMeToo’, ‘’#TimesUP’ etc. Particularly, I examine the changing trends in protests and how language (slogans) have become key tools to successful protests.