By Felix Khanoba
The Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Iyabode O.A. Nwabueze, has highlighted the complex relationship between cultural perceptions and women’s own roles in sustaining societal gender imbalances.
She emphasized that both external pressures and women’s complicity in their marginalization contribute to the current gender dynamics, including issues like female nudism.
Speaking during the university’s 27th inaugural lecture, titled “The Woman is First Human: The Linguistic Exploration of Her Personhood”, held on September 5, 2024, in Abuja, Nwabueze stressed that intellectual capabilities are not gender-based and that women should be afforded equal opportunities to excel in various fields.
In a statement signed by NOUN’s Director of Media and Publicity, Ibrahim Sheme, the dean recounted her 50-year academic journey, culminating in her becoming NOUN’s first Professor of English.
She underscored determination and resilience as key to her accomplishments and called for a societal realignment in how women are perceived, beginning with recognizing women as human beings deserving of respect and equality.
The lecture explored a wide range of themes, from societal stereotypes and linguistic frameworks to self-determination, all aimed at addressing women’s empowerment. Nwabueze critically examined femininity constructs and argued that linguistic frameworks such as Transformational Generative Grammar (TGG) and Systemic Functional Grammar (SFG) fail to fully capture women’s experiences and realities.
Referencing historical figures such as Queen Amina and Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, she noted how colonization and religion have historically sidelined women. Nwabueze called on religious institutions to reassess practices that undermine women’s dignity and urged female politicians to unite in advancing women’s roles in governance.
Her lecture closed with a series of recommendations, including NOUN leading in gender-focused research, developing inclusive educational content, and fostering empowering environments for women in academia and society.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Technology, Innovation and Research, Prof. Godwin Akper, praised the Faculty of Arts for their academic contributions. A tribute was also paid to the late Professor Ahmed Njidda, a previous inaugural lecturer.
Prof. Chiedu Mafiana, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, delivered a vote of thanks, commending the attendees and encouraging continued academic excellence.
The event drew a wide audience, including members of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and other distinguished guests, furthering the conversation on gender equality and the empowerment of women.
