Aisha Yesufu (born on December 12, 1973 in Kano State) is a 50 year old Nigerian activist, social critic and businesswoman who hails from Edo state in the Southern part of Nigeria. She gained attention for her role in the Bring Back Our Girls Movement in 2014.
The activist has since been at the forefront of activism in Nigeria, fighting for the rights of her fellow Nigerians without fear. Widely known as a fearless and non-biased person, she has not stopped encouraging Nigerians to stand for what is right. Her popularity spread out more after a show of bravery and courage during the #ENDSARS protest of 2020 that resulted in the death of many Nigerian youth.
Profile Summary Of Aisha Yesufu
- Full Name: Aisha Yesufu
- Date Of Birth: 12th December 1973
- Age: 50 years old
- Place Of Birth: Kano
- Ethnicity: Etsako
- State Of Origin: Edo State
- Nationality: Nigerian
- Marital Status: Married
- Occupation: Businesswoman, Microbiologist, and Activist
Aisha Yesufu’s Is A Native of Edo State
Aisha Yesufu was born on the 12th of December 1973 in the Northern part of Nigeria, Kano to be precise. She is, however, a native of Agbede in Edo State. The businesswoman grew up in Kano in a ghetto referred to as the Ajegunle of the city. The 50 year old activist grew up alongside her siblings under her parents. She revealed that her father always spoke the truth without fear and that was where she picked her outspoken nature. He was a higher national diploma holder who was well to do but lost everything that he worked for during the time of the military administration of Muhammadu Buhari.
Living in a heavily patriarchal environment couldn’t stop her achievements as she came from a supportive home. She was allowed to go to school and was not married off at a tender age. This support has extended to her role as an activist.
The Activist Is University Educated
Being a girl in an environment where women were considered irrelevant wasn’t easy for Aisha as she couldn’t account for a female friend at the age of 11. This was because they were all married and some died at childbirth. Aisha Yesufu is seen to have started resisting the ills of society from a tender age by determining not to go into marriage early. She revealed that her love for books made her realize that there was a world beyond the ghetto she was growing in, and she wanted that world for herself. Her determined spirit propelled her as she didn’t look back on her decisions of going to school and leaving the ghetto.
Aisha Yesufu started her journey towards receiving proper education by applying to the Nigerian Defense Academy. She was, however, disqualified because of her gender. She encouraged herself and got admission into Usmanu Danfodiyo University in 1992. A crisis erupted and the school was closed but she pressed on into Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where she was set to study Medicine. In 1994, the school was closed down following the murder of a professor. She proceeded to Bayero University in Kano where she bagged a degree in Microbiology.
Aisha Yesufu Has Since Launched A Business Career
Aisha Yesufu is a businesswoman who ventured into many businesses after graduating from the university. She revealed that she went into business after she finished her studies and has never worked under anyone since the year 2000.
Being an illustrious woman, she founded Oceangate Distribution Services that sees the importation of Alim tomatoes. She is also the CEO of Aliyyah and Amir Ventures limited, a business that trades and distributes general merchandise and raw materials in Nigeria.
Her Work As An Activist
The Nigerian socio-political activist has been in the duty of speaking out for the masses without prejudice. With Oby Ezekwesili, she co-founded the movement known as Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) that fought against the abduction of 276 Chibok schoolgirls on April 14, 2014, by the Boko Haram terrorist group. On April 30, 2014, she marched along with other women to Nigeria’s National Assembly located at Abuja to protest on the missing Chibok schoolgirls.
Being a woman without fear of criticism or death, Aisha Yesufu also led the #EndSARS protest against police brutality in October 2020. Her bravery and courage encouraged more Nigerians to courageously stand against the brutal act of the Nigerian forces as she stood fearlessly against the police officer who harassed the peaceful protesters. She revealed to the people that she is not scared of dying as everyone is appointed to die once and whichever way the death comes that she is ready as she received death threats.
Aisha Yesufu Is Married To a Chartered Accountant
Growing up in a society where early child marriage was a norm did not affect the activist as she pursued her academics. She later got married at the age of 24 in 1997 while still a student at the university. Aisha met her husband Mr. Aliu Osigwe Yesufu at her uncle’s bachelor’s party on the 26th of December 1996. He is 12 years older than her. Aisha, being a person with a strong personality, didn’t mind the age gap as she wanted someone who can handle her.
Mr. Aliu Yesufu is a chartered accountant and has been active in the field for over 30 years. She revealed that she was the one who wooed her husband into marrying her because she was a control freak who likes to take charge and has never witnessed a relationship where a guy asked her out. The activist’s husband, who is also from Edo State, is said to be her number one fan since she started her movements in speaking up for the masses. They have been together since 1996 and there has not been any rumors of problems in their home.
The Businesswoman Is A Doting Mother Of Two
Aisha Yesufu is not just a businesswoman, microbiologist, and activist, she is also a mother to a boy and a girl. Her first child is a boy named Amir Yesufu. The activist’s second child and lookalike daughter, Aliyyah Yesufu, was born on the 6th of December 2001. She named her business venture Aliyyah and Amir Ventures after her children. The activist seems to keep details about her children out of the ears of the masses as much about them is not known.
