‘Nigerian Systems Fail Women’ — Creative Entrepreneur Success Okani

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Summary: Success Okani, a multifaceted creative and entrepreneur, speaks on raising girls with the right foundation, the justice system’s failure to protect women from sexual and gender-based violence, and a feminist solidarity that never loses sight of its goal.

Success Okani is a singer, actor, writer, and entrepreneur who has never believed she was smaller than anyone, and has spent her life proving it. Raised by her father to see herself as complete, whole, and powerful, she combined that upbringing with a voracious reading habit that showed her both how much women are capable of and how badly they have been treated. 

A self-described feminist long before she knew the word, Success brings that same clarity and fire to her advocacy today. 

In a conversation with Naija Feminists Media, she speaks on teaching girls the right foundation, the audacity of a justice system that protects rapists over survivors, and what feminist solidarity looks like when it refuses to lose the plot.

Insights from Success on Girls’ Education, Justice for Survivors, and Owning Your Feminism

1. When and how did you personally come to feminism? Was there a moment, experience, or process that shaped your feminist consciousness?

I would say that I have been a feminist long before I came across the word or even knew the meaning. I’ve never believed that I’m any less or smaller than a boy or a man. I’ve always seen myself as a big deal. My father raised me, and he did a great job raising me to see myself as complete, whole, and powerful. 

But beyond that, I’ve always been self-confident and aware enough to know that I’m in no way less. I refused to be boxed or treated unfairly just because of my gender. I would stand up for myself and others. I also read a lot as a child, from newspapers to magazines to novels by feminists, and I’d see women do great things. 

These materials I read also further showed me how badly women have been treated and represented. 

2. What issues affecting women and girls are you most focused on right now, and why do you believe these issues require urgent attention?

I’m focused on a lot of issues affecting women because, honestly, the patriarchy and misogyny are in everything if you look closely. In fact, you don’t need to look too deep; you’ll see it. However, to answer this question, I would say teaching our young girls the right things. 

Not teaching them to tie their worth to men or embracing a system that oppresses them. I believe that when the foundation is right, it’s easier to build on it as they grow. 

This doesn’t mean that older people cannot unlearn and relearn stuff, but we can start to teach our young girls from now on. That the other generations did things a certain way doesn’t mean we should, especially if these things are wrong and harmful. 

Another thing I’m really focused on is getting justice for girls and women who have been violated in one way or another. I’m talking domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, murder, and yes, online violence. 

We’ve had too many cases of women going through these things, and it’s been swept under the rug. No justice for them. It makes this evil cycle go on and on. This needs urgent attention because women shouldn’t live in fear. 

3. What does feminist solidarity and collective action look like to you?

There needs to be stronger enforcement of protective laws for women who suffer sexual violence and gender-based violence. We want to see that the laws are fully enforced and offenders face the consequences of their actions. 

Recently, a woman, Fems, and her friend were raped. The case was taken to court and then thrown out of court, even with all the evidence provided against the rapist. In fact, the rapist was mocking her and saying nothing would come of it. And eventually, the case was thrown out of court. His audacity came from knowing that the system protects him, a rapist, over the woman he raped. Imagine the pain she must be feeling. This is the story of a lot of other women. 

The system fails us all the time and tells us that our lives, experiences, and feelings don’t matter. There has to be accountability, consequences for offenders, and safety for women.

4. What message would you like to share with younger or emerging feminists?

Feminist solidarity and collective action, to me, is about us not losing the plot. We’re not forgetting why we are here, what we are doing. We may not agree on everything every time. We may have different perspectives and takes on matters. 

However, we fight for the same goal. We don’t compromise on the tenets of feminism to suit the patriarchy in any way, just because “we have a choice,” because any choice that puts even one woman at risk isn’t a good choice.

This solidarity simply means that as feminists, we’re not tearing each other down. It’s working together to achieve our common goal: a safe and healthy world for women everywhere.

To younger and emerging feminists, please own your feminism with pride. They’ll try to shut you up and shut you down, but I need you to know that your silence would strengthen the patriarchy and misogyny. 

Your voice contributes to tearing it down. I also need you to know that your sisters (feminist women) are your friends and protectors. Don’t joke with them.