PROFILE: Lila Dogonyaro

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By Victor Olubiye


 Laila Dogonyaro was born on 10 December 1944 in Garun Gabas, located in what is now Jigawa State, Nigeria. Despite showing early promise academically, her educational journey was interrupted when she was married off at the age of 13—a common practice in Northern Nigeria at the time, where girls' education was often not prioritized. Her admission to Ilorin Secondary School was cut short by this early marriage.


However, what could have marked the end of her ambitions became the beginning of a powerful legacy. Determined to change the status quo for women, Laila channelled her personal experiences into activism. In 1963, she became a founding member of Jam’iyyar Matan Arewa (JMA), an organization aimed at improving the lives of Northern Nigerian women through education, social services, and political participation.

Her advocacy led her into politics. In 1977, she contested for a political seat in Kaduna State. By 1979, she was a member of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), boldly challenging deep-rooted patriarchal norms and calling for increased representation of women in governance.

Laila’s leadership extended well beyond elective politics. She served as the Kaduna State chairperson of the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS) from 1985 to 1993, and then as national president from 1993 to 1995. In 1998, she founded the Women’s Opinion Leaders Forum (WOLF), further cementing her status as a leading voice for Nigerian women.

In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in 2001. She also made history in 1995 as the first woman in Northern Nigeria to receive a traditional title, being named “Garkuwar Garki.”

Laila Dogonyaro passed away on 28 April 2011 at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital after a brief illness. She was buried in her hometown of Garki, Jigawa State. Her life remains a symbol of resilience, courage, and unwavering dedication to the empowerment of women.


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