The conventional political myth would tell us that less women are interested and engaged in Nigerian politics than men. Major explanations for this gender disparity vary from women’s access to economic and political resources among other things.
As true as this may sound, the fact is, the few number of women in Nigerian politics are making a resounding mark, which their male counterparts are racing to match up with. Through their little achievements, more women are coming out to engage in politics.
One of these few women in Nigerian politics is Hajia Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, Ph.D. An astute grassroot politician from Kogi West Senatorial District, who has journeyed through the political world since the days of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), where she was the National Women Leader.
To many, the name Ramatu Tijani Aliyu may not ring a bell, but talk of an appointee who during the heat of the pandemic relinquished her salary to inmates in correctional facility in the FCT, then, she readily comes to mind.
This underlines the need for more women like her to be given an opportunity to serve in public service.
She was born on the 12th day of June, 1970 in Wuse area Abuja, Nigeriato late Alhaji Mamman Sidi Ali, who was the Bawan Allah of Lokoja in Kogi State. Ramatu started her early childhood education at Dawaki Primary school Suleja in 1976, then in 1982 she enrolled for her secondary education at Federal Government College (FGC) Minna, Niger state and finished in 1988.
Two years later after a successful completion of her remedial program, Ramatu got admitted into Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for her undergraduate program to study Urban and Regional Planning. She graduated in 1995 with Bachelor of Science degree (B.Sc) Urban and Regional Planning, after which Ramatu went to Nasarawa State University, Keffi for her Masters Degree in Public Administration. She was conferred with honorary doctorate degree in Public Administration by the Commonwealth University, London and has also earned a certificate in Leadership Skills from the Abbey College, London.
She has been able to successfully joggle her duties as a wife with her duties as a politician. Before her voyage into the political world, Hajia Ramatu was a banker and philanthropist who also runs an NGO; the Global Women and Youth Empowerment Strategy (GLOWYES).
Her career started during the compulsory national service, with National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, after which young Ramatu joined AZAH Intermediaries Nigeria Limited, a civil engineering construction firm, where she worked as Managing Director for some years.
A studious and brilliant young girl, Ramatu returned to university where she bagged her Masters degree and Certificate in Leadership Skills and PH.D program.
She has been in Politics since the early 2000s. Her first appointment came in 2004, when she was appointed special adviser on Women affairs, Youth and Social Development to the chairman of the Gwagwalada Area Council, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nigeria.
In 2007, she contested for a political office to represent Kwali/Abaji federal constituency in the Nigeria National Assembly but her bid was unsuccessful. Not deterred by the defeat, she still served in various capacities for her political party. In 2008, she was appointed vice national chairman of her party, which was the major opposition political party in Nigeria at the time, All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).
In 2010 she became the national women leader of the party, and concurrently served as the president of the Council of African Political Parties (CAPP) after she successful contested and won the election which took place in Khartoum, Sudan.
In 2014, after three opposition political parties in Nigeria merged into one, including her own party ANPP, she was appointed the women leader of the new party All Progressives Congress (APC). A position she held until 2018.
Popularly called Mama FCT, she was appointed Honourable Minister (States) for FCT, by President Muhamadu Buhari in 2019, a position that earned her the alias, Mama FCT by many. She has ever since proven to be worthy of the position, as she is a supportive Honourable Minister for State, FCT in this current administration. Through her office, she has brought succour and timely intervention in the provision of relief materials via palliatives to long forgotten subs of the Federal Capital Territory.
A reliable assistant to the Honorable Minister of FCT, Hajiya Tijani has also doubled as a women advocate. She has been a caregiver to the less privileged and provided community development initiatives within the FCT under the present administration.
Her office which is saddled with administrating the sub-urban areas outside the municipal championed infrastructural turn around in road construction, primary health care centers rehabilitation, poverty alleviation and women empowerment.
An ardent supporter of president Muhammadu Buhari, she has played her role with an unmatched poise, grandeur and passion. She has been on the fore-front of gender advocacy, a role she is so passionate about. Through her office she has promoted the fight against gender violence, sexual abuse and oppression of the less privileged.
