1
As part of activities to mark this year’s International Women’s Day, ASIRI Magazine, in partnership with the British Deputy High Commission, is set to celebrate women through a richly historical and cultural lens, situating Nigeria’s story within the wider Commonwealth narrative of women’s agency, resistance, and social change.
Titled “HerStory of Nigeria: Women, Power and Protest in Lagos (1910–1950),” the project reflects ASIRI’s commitment to preserving and promoting the nation’s history, culture and heritage.
Since its founding in 2013, ASIRI Magazine has grown into one of the largest digital archives of rare historical images and narratives, leading major public history campaigns and transforming archival knowledge into accessible story telling for global audiences.
HerStory of Nigeria is one of ASIRI’s initiatives focused on reclaiming culture and restoring women to the centre of Nigeria’s historical narrative. Recognising that women’s history is vital to national development, the project combines offline engagement with the creation of a solid digital repository that documents and preserves Nigerian women’s contributions across generations. Through this hybrid approach, it safeguards women’s legacies while building a more inclusive and accessible national memory for future generations.
This two-tier Lagos flagship programme will feature a series of public campaigns around secondary schools in Lagos. The sessions will introduce students to women’s histories through guided storytelling, illustrated learning materials, historical portrait sketches, and participatory discussions in order to make history relatable, visual, empowering and unforgettable for young learners.
Running simultaneously with the school engagement is the 15-day Digital Advocacy Campaign by ASIRI. This campaign, which would run on ASIRI Magazine’s digital platforms, amplifies the stories shared in schools through illustrated history posts, educational threads, short features, and archival highlights, extending the conversation to a broader public audience.
HerStory of Nigeria Project kicks off with a formal launch on March 9 in partnership with the British Deputy High Commission, Lagos, while on March 13, there will be a flagship launch of the project at the Queen’s College, Lagos.
While reflecting on HerStory of Nigeria, the Project Director and founder of ASIRI Magazine, Dr. Oludamola Adebowale explains the rationale behind the project.
“HerStory of Nigeria positions history as a tool for advocacy and social change,” he says. “The project challenges historical erasure, promotes gender visibility, and inspires confidence, civic consciousness, and leadership among young girls.
“As an International Women’s Day 2026 initiative, it bridges global gender equity conversations with deeply rooted Nigerian historical narratives, reaffirming that history is not just about the past, but a living resource for identity, empowerment, and national memory. This is what ASIRI Magazine has stood for over a decade and we’re proud of the great women- the unsung heroes in our historical framework.”
The Project is supported by Zapphaire Events, IHS Nigeria, Bella Naija and Ms. Lanre Shasore
About ASIRI Magazine
Since its founding in 2013, ASIRI Magazine has become one of Nigeria’s most influential digital platforms for preserving and promoting the nation’s history, culture, and heritage. It has built one of the largest online archives of rare historical images and narratives, launched major public history campaigns, collaborated with international archives and cultural institutions, and helped make Nigerian history accessible and engaging to global audiences. Through consistent storytelling and archival curation, ASIRI has shaped the way Nigerians and the world understand and value the country’s past.
Dr. Oludamola Adebowale is a Nigerian archivist, historian, writer, author, and curator renowned for his work in preserving and promoting Nigerian cultural heritage. He is the Founder and Creative Director of ASIRI Magazine, a leading digital history and archival platform that has reshaped how Nigerian history is documented and accessed since 2013. Dr. Adebowale’s scholarship spans archival research, curatorial practice, and public history outreach, earning him recognition as an Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (UK) and a member of the International Council on Archives. His contributions include curating major exhibitions, producing historical media, and innovating educational tools like the 1851 Agidingbi historical chess game, all aimed at making Nigeria’s past accessible to present and future generations.
