Abia State to Honour 1929 Aba Women’s Heroines with Monuments

Summary: Alex Otti has announced plans to erect monuments honouring the heroines of the Aba Women’s Riot of 1929 and other notable women, while also calling for greater female inclusion in governance.

Abia State has announced plans to approve the erection of monuments in honour of the heroines of the Aba Women’s Riot of 1929 and other notable women in the state. 

The governor of the state, Alex Otti,  disclosed this on April 8, 2026, during the burial ceremony of the late Chiamaka Joyce Ibekwe in Igbere, Bende Local Government Area, noting that the initiative is aimed at recognising women’s contributions to society and preserving their place in history.

The Aba Women’s Riot of 1929 (also known as the Women’s War) was a massive anti-colonial revolt by over 10,000 Igbo and Ibibio women in southeastern Nigeria against British taxation, corrupt warrant chiefs, and economic oppression. Women employed a traditional protest method known as “sitting on a man” or “making war,” which involved gathering at a man’s compound, singing, dancing, and mocking him until their grievances were addressed. The protest spread rapidly from Oloko and Aba to other parts of Calabar and Owerri, involving thousands of women who attacked native courts and colonial buildings.

Alex noted that the proposed monuments will serve as a tribute to the resilience and impact of women, while also encouraging continued contributions to community development. He highlighted the vital role women play in food production, children’s education, and economic stability.

The governor further stressed the need for greater recognition of women’s efforts across various sectors, stating that many continue to sustain homes, businesses, and the wider society through their labour.

Alex also expressed concern about the absence of female lawmakers in the Abia State House of Assembly, using the occasion to advocate for greater inclusion of women in governance and decision-making.

He urged both lawmakers and women to take deliberate steps toward improving female representation in politics, emphasising that the time had come to accord women greater prominence in leadership.