FUNMILAYO RANSOME KUTI BIOGRAPHY, CAREER, CONTROVERSIES AND DEATH

FUNMILAYO RANSOME KUTI BIOGRAPHY – Born Frances Abigail Olufunmilayo Olufela Folorunso Thomas; (25 October 1900 – 13 April 1978), also known as Funmilayo Aníkúlápó-Kuti, was a Nigerian educator, political campaigner and women’s rights activist.

FUNMILAYO RANSOME KUTI PROFILE

Name	Funmilayo Ransome Kuti
Real Name	Frances Abigail Olufela Olufunmilayo Folorunsho Thomas
Date of Birth	25 October 1900
Date of Death	13 April 1978
State of Origin	Ogun
Tribe	Yoruba
Nationality	Nigerian
Occupation	Educator, Politician and Women Right Activist
Religion	Christian
Martial Status	Married
Net Worth	$1-5 million
Copied From	Contents101.com

FUNMILAYO RANSOME KUTI BIOGRAPHY

Frances Abigail Olufunmilayo Olufela Folorunso Thomas, later known as Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, was born on October 25, 1900, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. She was born into the distinguished Jibolu-Taiwo family to Chief Daniel Olumeyuwa Thomas and Lucretia Phyllis Omoyeni Adeosolu. Her father was engaged in farming and trading palm produce, while her mother worked as a dressmaker. Funmilayo’s upbringing in a family with diverse pursuits laid the groundwork for her future as an educator, political campaigner, and women’s rights activist.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Although it was uncommon at the time for Nigerian families to invest in much education for girls, Frances’ parents believed in the importance of education for both boys and girls.  She attended Abeokuta Grammar School for her secondary education.The school had initially been open only to male students, but it admitted its first female students in 1914, and Frances was first among the six girls registered for study that year.From 1919 to 1922, she went abroad and attended a finishing school for girls in Cheshire, England, where she learned elocution, music, dressmaking, French, and various domestic skills.

CAREER

Throughout her career, she was known as an educator and activist. She and Elizabeth Adekogbe provided dynamic leadership for women’s rights in the 1950s. Ransome-Kuti founded an organization for women in Abeokuta called the Abeokuta Women’s Union, with a membership tally of more than 20,000 individuals, spanning both literate and illiterate women.Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti began her active participation in feminism when she created the Abeokuta Ladies Club (ALC), which later became the Women’s Union of Abeokuta (AWU). She created this group to promote gender equality, and to raise awareness against the injustice that women were receiving. The club began with middle class women who were Western educated, but quickly expanded to market women, and soon, over 100,000 women were a part of the organization. Prior to independence she founded the Commoners Peoples Party in an attempt to challenge the ruling NCNC, ultimately denying them victory in her area. She received 4,665 votes to the NCNC’s 9,755, thus allowing the opposition Action Group (which had 10,443 votes) to win. She was one of the delegates who negotiated Nigeria’s independence with the British government.

CONTROVERSIES

Funmilayo’s life was not without controversy, as her activism and outspoken criticism of government policies often put her at odds with authorities. One notable controversy stemmed from her involvement in the Abeokuta Women’s Union, which advocated for women’s rights and protested against unfair taxation policies imposed by the British colonial administration. These protests sometimes led to clashes with colonial officials and traditional authorities who viewed her activism as subversive. Her son Fela Kuti also caused controversy with his provocative songs and outspoken criticism on the Nations economy.

PERSONAL LIFE

Her personal life was marked by her dedication to her family, her activism, and her pursuit of social justice. She married Reverend Israel Oludotun Ransome-Kuti on January 20, 1925, and together they had four children: Dolupo, Olikoye “Koye,” Olufela “Fela,” and Bekololari “Beko.” Despite her busy schedule as an activist and educator, Funmilayo maintained a close bond with her family and played an active role in raising her children.

FUNMILAYO RANSOME KUTI NET WORTH

Funmilayo Ransome Kuti was estimated to be worth about $1-5 million in her lifetime.

FUNMILAYO RANSOME KUTI DEATH

On April 13, 1978, tragedy struck when Nigerian military forces raided her son Fela’s compound, known as the Kalakuta Republic, in Lagos. During the raid, Funmilayo was thrown from a window, sustaining severe injuries that ultimately led to her death. Her passing deeply shook the nation and sparked outrage among activists and ordinary citizens alike.