One of the most important figures in Nigerian and African history is Chief Margaret Ekpo, a trailblazing advocate for women’s rights in her native country. In 1945, Ekpo took engaged in political ideas and associations for the first time. Her husband was furious about how native Nigerian doctors were treated by colonial officials, but he was unable to attend meetings to voice his concerns because he was a civil servant. Subsequently, Ekpo took her husband’s position at meetings aimed at combating the racial and cultural disparities in administrative advancements as well as the discriminatory practices of the colonial administration in the city.
Later, she went to a political event where she was the sole female attendee and witnessed passionate speeches from major figures including Mbonu Ojike, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Herbert Macaulay. She established the Aba Market Women Association toward the close of the decade in an effort to unionize the city’s market women.She fought for women’s economic rights, economic protections, and expanded political rights by using the organization to advance women’s unity.
Ekpo’s tenure in politics came to an end when the Nigerian Civil War broke out, she was being held by Biafran officials at the time for three years in a prison that provided enough food.
She also joined forces with Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti in the 1950s to oppose the murders of leaders who were opposing the mine’s colonial activities in Enugu. At the age of 92, she passed away in 2006, and Calabar Airport was renamed Margaret Ekpo International Airport.
