Professor Felicia Adedoyin: The Woman Behind Nigeria’s Pledge
"I pledge to Nigeria my country
To be faithful, loyal and honest
To serve Nigeria with all my strength
To defend her unity and uphold her honour and glory
So help me God."
If you were born and raised in Nigeria as a child, chances are you've recited the Nigerian pledge mentioned earlier. This pledge is commonly recited at the beginning of official government events, school assemblies, and even some office gatherings.
However, many who know the pledge, do not know of its author. For a lot of young people, it was her passing on 1st of May, 2021 that introduced her name on their lips: Professor Felicia Adedoyin.
Professor Felicia Adedoyin, born on November 6th, 1938, in Shaki, Oyo State, was a distinguished professor at the University of Lagos. In 1976, she found inspiration to create the national pledge when her children questioned why they could recite pledges from other countries while studying in the United States and Ghana, but not one representing Nigeria.
Her response led her to write the pledge in a Daily Times article titled "Loyalty to the Nation, Pledge" on July 15, 1976. Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, the head of state at that time, made modifications to the pledge after reading the article and decreed that all school children should recite it as part of their morning assembly routine.
Since then, the Nigerian National Pledge has been embraced as an official recital by every subsequent head of state during their swearing-in ceremonies, resonating with the patriotic majority. At the time of her passing, Professor Adedoyin, who had lectured at the University of Lagos, held a consulting position with the United Nations and was renowned for her contributions to education.
She also received her PhD from the University of Lagos (Unilag). What this points to, is that women in Nigeria have always been involved in nation-building. If not as teachers and independence movement leaders like Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, or as a mother who took it upon herself to curate the words holding national prestige so that her kids could have a pledge to recite that connects them to their homeland.
It's crucial to not only focus on history in Nigeria but to be particularly dedicated to sharing women's histories with the younger generation. Through representation, we can emphasize that young women play a significant role in nation-building and are fully capable of pursuing positions such as the presidency. Women before them—like Remi Shonaiya and Bisi Fayemi —have shown this potential, paving the way for future generations.
It is absolutely crucial to go beyond mere intention when shaping Nigeria's history. We must embrace a profound commitment to resurfacing women's narratives for the next generation. Through vivid representation, we illuminate the undeniable truth that young women are integral to nation-building and possess the potential to ascend to the highest echelons of power, including presidential office.
As we pay our respects to the late Professor Adedoyin, let us find solace in the certainty that her legacy will forever thrive, a testament to the endurance of her vision and the empowerment of women.