BRIEF HISTORY OF NIGERWIVES-NIGERIA

Acting on advice by a Nigerian Immigration official, a group of foreign women, married to Nigerian citizens and residents in Nigeria, instituted in 1979 the Association known today as “Nigerwives”.

At the time, these women were having challenges with their residence permits that needed to be regularly renewed, as well as with their work permits and re-entry visas. Also, they faced discrimination in terms of employment, as they did not receive the same benefits that regular expatriates of similar qualifications enjoyed, nor did they receive the benefit of permanent pensionable employment that applied to Nigerians. Additionally, they were not allowed to remit part of their salaries to their relatives abroad, even though they were legally married to Nigerians. With the help of Mrs. Mohammed – mother-in-law to our present Trustee Josephine Mohammed – a diplomat who then served in the UK and the US, the issue of an indefinite residence permit for Nigerwives was raised with the then Comptroller of Immigration for the first time. Meanwhile, Mrs. Beatrice Ajose became the first President of the group.

Subsequently, these women sought the assistance of Nigerian Lawyer, Barrister Audrey Ajose, daughter of a foreign woman married to a Nigerian, who presented the case to leading legislators for more relaxed Immigration regulations for foreign women married to Nigerians. Barrister Ajose also drafted the first Constitution of Nigerwives-Nigeria. As negotiations continued, the Association was formally registered as Nigerwives-Nigeria with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria as a Trustee Incorporated on 7th September 1987 with RC No. 5527.

Over the years, potential Nigerwives in other parts of the country expressed interest in joining the Association, leading to the establishment of Branches in many States of the Federation. Later, a Central Council was inaugurated, and Cathy Onyemelukwe was elected as the first National President of the Registered Association. Subsequently, the National Executive Committee rotated among the different Branches. Barrister Norma Jackson-Steele, a Nigerwife, was appointed the Association’s Legal Adviser after Barrister Ajose was appointed Nigerian Ambassador to Sweden. Our current Legal Adviser is Gloria Inyang of the Abuja Branch. Presently, six Trustees oversee the association, supported by a National Executive Council comprising the National President, Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and the Immediate Past President. The National Executive Committee (NEC) serves a 2-year term, handling the day-to-day running of the association. At the same time, major decisions affecting Nigerwives are made during annual general meetings of the Nigerwives Central Council, including participation from each of the 13 Branches of the Association, Trustees, and the NEC.

Over the years, potential Nigerwives in other parts of the country expressed interest in joining the Association, leading to the establishment of Branches in many States of the Federation. Later, a Central Council was inaugurated, and Cathy Onyemelukwe was elected as the first National President of the Registered Association. Subsequently, the National Executive Committee rotated among the different Branches. Barrister Norma Jackson-Steele, a Nigerwife, was appointed the Indefinite Residence Permits and later entry visas for the lifetime of their passports were eventually granted to Nigerwives. These were later suspended and replaced with CERPAC, requiring annual renewal with payment for a Residence Permit. A group of husbands of Nigerwives, led by the late Dr. Vincent Achimu, challenged that decision in court and won the case. Today, CERPAC is free for Nigerwives and lasts for the lifetime of their passports.

Special Immigrant Status (SIS) has also been granted on application to Nigerwives who could not or did not want to take Nigerian citizenship.

Before 1999, foreign wives who applied for Nigerian citizenship had to renounce their citizenship of birth.

The 1999 Constitution enabled Nigerwives to apply for citizenship through naturalization/registration and retain their citizenship of birth if their countries allowed dual nationality. The application process was initially slow but has since been simplified and expedited by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Another hurdle that had to be addressed was the law requiring all foreigners to pay for airline tickets in foreign exchange, including Nigerwives without a Nigerian passport. An appeal to the Minister of Aviation for an exemption for Nigerwives, as wives of Nigerians entitled to the same rights as Nigerian-born wives, was eventually granted.

According to the Nigerwives Nigeria Constitution, the aims of the Association were, among others, to facilitate the smooth integration of foreign wives of Nigerians into Nigerian society and establish or assist in social projects beneficial to the Nigerian community. These aims have been largely achieved, with approximately 300 members from 69 countries in 13 branches nationwide. Since 1995, Nigerwives-Nigeria, coordinated by Jean Obi, established the Nigerwives Braille Book Production Centre (NWBBPC), a National Project providing Braille books for visually impaired students countrywide. It also offers computer training for blind graduates and recently produced Braille Ballot Papers for Nigerian Elections. Additionally, training has been provided for visually impaired children on the use of Maths Kits, with the provision of the same. Edwige Adeyemo succeeded Jean Obi as NWBBPC Coordinator in March 2021, continuing the excellent work with support from the NWBBPC Steering Committee.

Under the “World Bank Book Project”, the Association received and distributed books to many educational institutions in the country through Nigerwives to their husbands’ states. Since 2020, funding from the Givaudan Foundation has facilitated the upskilling of many visually impaired people in soap making at the NWBBPC. In addition to other projects for the blind in Abuja, Ibadan, and Kaduna Branches, other Branches have initiated additional projects and services. The Warri Branch established a center for developmentally challenged children, Project “ACCHIEVE”, with ongoing efforts to accommodate more children. The Akwa-Ibom Branch acquired land and constructed a Recreational Center that provides a conducive environment for children’s programs such as musical concerts, indoor and outdoor games, and a basketball court. While temporarily suspended since 2021 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Lagos Branch's annual participation in the Lagos-based "Small World" Fundraising Event has provided regular funding for many Nigerwives projects over the years.

The Association has been of tremendous help to members in assisting them with getting jobs and being there in times of need. Regular Monthly Meetings keep members in touch with each other. Recreational activities such as picnics, boat rides, and excursions, ensure leisure is not left out for adults, as well as for children. Yearly fundraising activities are organized in support of various project needs. Nigerian recipes, basic Nigerian culture and fashion such as the “head tie” are learned from friendly Nigerian ladies. We can now boast of being excellent cooks of Nigerian foods and divas of Nigerian fashion - the Enugu Branch has even published 3 editions of their Nigerwives Cookbook! Our Annual General Meetings of the Nigerwives Central Council take place each year in March, which is another way we make sure we stay in touch with each other.

We are indeed very grateful to all those pioneers who have laid the foundation for Nigerwives Nigeria and all the members who have sustained her existence for over 40 years. Doris Fafunwa summarized what Nigerwives stands for in the song she wrote, which has been officially adopted as the Nigerwives Song, ending with “Sisters All!” Long live Nigerwives!

Updated March, 2022