In this exclusive interview with ASHENEWS, Barrister Rashidat Mohammed, a Sokoto-based legal practitioner, shares her inspiring journey from Kaiama in Kwara State to her historic election as the first female chairperson of the Sokoto branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA). Mohammed discusses her challenges, goals, and vision for the future. Excerpts:
Let us know you briefly.
My name is Rashidat Mohammed, popularly known as “The Borgu Woman.” I am from Kaiama Local Government of Kwara State and I attended the K.L.G.E.A Central Primary School, Kaiama, Kwara State, where I obtained my Primary School Certificate in 1997. I also obtained my Senior School Certificate from Government Day Secondary School, Kaiama, Kwara State, in 2003.
In pursuit of my educational career, I moved to Sokoto from Kwara State to attend the College of Legal and Islamic Studies, Sokoto State, where I obtained a Diploma in Civil Law in 2006 and an Advanced Diploma in Civil Law in 2009. I then proceeded to the prestigious Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto State, where I obtained my Bachelor of Laws, LLB (Hons) in 2012, and went to the Nigerian Law School, Abuja Campus, for my Barrister at Law (BL). I was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2013. I joined Almustapha & Co. for tutelage and later established my law firm, Rashida Mohammed & Co. (Rahama Law Chambers), in 2018, which happened to be the first female-owned law firm within Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara States, respectively.
As the first female chair of the Sokoto branch of the Nigeria Bar Association, you’ve undoubtedly faced unique challenges. Can you share some of the obstacles you encountered on your journey and how you overcame them?
Of course, it is bound to be challenging, owing to the fact that Nigeria generally is patriarchal in nature, where there are a lot of barriers excluding women from decision-making processes. Even though certain credible individuals, organizations, and the government have tried to bridge those gaps, many other factors continue to fuel discrimination and gender bias against women. Some of these factors are cultural, traditional, and religious misrepresentation/misconception. However, the challenges are not new to me because all my life I have always been advocating for equal opportunities for women and girls.
In 2022, I contested for the position of Secretary of the NBA Sokoto. It was a herculean task because I was the first female lawyer to dare come out for such a position, and I won overwhelmingly. My performance as the secretary earned me the support I have today. When I came to contest for the chairmanship of the branch, I didn’t expect fewer challenges than I had faced as a secretary. I prepared myself for rejection, resistance, stigma, blackmail, and character assassination. Some people went the extra mile to stop me by using religion to instigate people against my candidacy. I was called names like “Kafira,” “Shaitan,” “Anti-Islamic Agenda,” and “Divorcee.” I am not perfect, but I knew I was not doing anything wrong because I had consulted our elders and those well-versed in Islamic knowledge before making up my mind. I held onto God, praying every day and night, asking for guidance. I remained focused and courageous, believing that the only person who could tell me I couldn’t do it was me, and I didn’t have to listen to that.
My activism has given me the platform to work with people of different faiths and cultural backgrounds, and there is a change in mindset regarding women’s leadership, especially in an association like the NBA. The journey seemed impossible and affected not just me but also those I have professional relationships with. However, I was determined to change the narrative, and to God be the glory, I emerged victorious. I am now at the verge of ensuring a more united NBA Sokoto Branch.
What are your main goals and priorities for the Sokoto branch of the NBA during your tenure, and how do you plan to achieve them?
My goals and priorities are to champion excellence, nurture inclusivity, and steadfastly uphold the rule of law, ensuring an active Bar that benefits the Members of the Caliphate Bar, the legal profession, and the general public. I want to see a united Bar that is devoid of discrimination, irrespective of religion, ethnicity, or any other social factor or class. I want to see a Bar where young people have the confidence to take leadership positions, where women can offer their services to support humanity without being castigated or maligned, and without their character being destroyed. I want to see a highly professional NBA that does not use religion and ethnicity to limit its members but rather looks at competence, experience, exposure, and the ability to grow the family.
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I plan to achieve this by fostering an all-inclusive Caliphate Bar dedicated to developing innovative initiatives, programs, and activities tailored to the diverse needs, interests, and aspirations of our members. I aim to cultivate unity, collaboration, and equitable participation among members, empowering them through mentorship, skill enhancement, and creating an environment where every member feels valued, respected, and motivated to contribute to the Bar’s objectives. I intend to continue inspiring the younger generation of lawyers by giving them opportunities to participate in programs and national events that will expose them to the world for positive impact. I will leverage my experience and connections as a developmental worker to collaborate with non-governmental organizations, international partners, and invite experts to provide capacity building, mentoring, and technical assistance in areas where young lawyers have deficiencies and where the legal profession is lacking.
Your achievement is a significant milestone for women in law, particularly in Northern Nigeria. What message do you have for young girls and women who aspire to pursue a career in law?
My message to young girls and women is: The best thing you could ever do for yourself is to believe in yourself. Don’t allow your background or environment to limit you. Work hard and be disciplined because hard work doesn’t disappoint. Be focused; don’t allow people’s opinions about you to determine your actions or inactions, as long as you are convinced you are on the right track. Always be prepared for challenges and train yourself to be courageous, real, and confident. Above all, always work on your relationship with God; be spiritual.
To every young girl out there, if Rashidat Mohammed, a.k.a. the Borgu Woman, can do it, you can too. All you need is to believe in yourself and take a step towards achieving your dreams. Be consistent. I wish you all the best.
How do you think your leadership as the first female chair will influence the NBA’s approach to gender equality and diversity within the legal profession in Sokoto and beyond?
The NBA has been a gender-responsive association, especially during the tenure of the current president of the NBA, Yakubu C. Maikyau SAN OON. Women have been given various leadership positions, and for the first time, we have a women-led NBA AGCCPC for the 2024 AGC. It can be said that the Nigerian Bar Association is gender-sensitive, gender-responsive, and encourages gender equality.
The Sokoto Branch is also doing well in terms of being gender-sensitive. However, female leadership has been an issue. For me to win this election means the issue has been addressed. As an advocate for gender equity, my leadership will boost the confidence, self-esteem, and image of female lawyers. They have the strength, capacity, knowledge, skills, and exposure, but due to some cultural factors and religious misrepresentation, they are made to believe they have nothing to offer in leadership positions or society at large. My leadership will respect everyone, including government, non-governmental organizations, traditional institutions, and religious leaders. I will continue to hold my male counterparts in high esteem because it is a divine injunction.
My administration will not compromise the important role women have in developing and impacting our society. I will use this opportunity to train and encourage female lawyers within and outside Sokoto. I will collaborate with female role models to mentor more female lawyers to improve their self-esteem and capacity, preparing them for leadership positions.
Can you tell us about the support systems or mentors that have been instrumental in your career? How important is mentorship for young lawyers, especially women, in the legal field?
My support system actually started with my parents, who raised me with love, discipline, and resilience. I grew up seeing my late mom fully participating in the modern politics of Kwara State during the era of SDP and NRC. She rose to the position of women leader before she passed on. As a child, I picked up some of the leadership skills from my late mom because she gave me the opportunity to participate in some political activities. May Allah grant her Aljannatul Firdausi, Ameen. Similarly, let me also use this opportunity to experience my profound appreciation to my Dad, Mr. Adams Mohammed, who has never left my side. His unconditional love, care, and support can not be quantified. He taught me to always do the right thing even when no one is watching and he has never doubted my instinct…I love you, Dad.
During my primary and secondary school days, I had teachers who gave me platforms to express my opinions and represent my schools on various occasions, which built my confidence. In pursuit of my career, I will forever remain grateful to Dr. Adamu Jibril Bamaiyi, who laid the foundation for me through his encouragement and guidance from my secondary school days to the university level. Hon. Justice Prof. M. D. Mahamud reminded me that giving up is not an option when I almost gave up in the faculty of law, UDUS. Mr. A. Y. Abubakar Esq., under whom I learned the basics of the legal profession, has been there through thick and thin. I was also blessed with a brother from another mother, Hon. Justice Kabiru Muhammad, who has been instrumental to my growth. Prof. Ibrahim Abdullahi SAN has always been there to guide and support without hesitation.
I use this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation to a visionary leader and a mentor par excellence, the Chief Judge of Sokoto State, Hon. Justice M. S. Sifawa (Life Bencher), who believes in supporting and promoting people with potential, capacity, and competence, irrespective of religion, tribe, or gender. He has been a great mentor and very instrumental to my career. His unconditional love and support are things I will forever cherish.
Talking about women supporting women, let me use this medium to express my sincere appreciation to Mrs. Esther Ogbolu and Hajiya Balkisu Abdul-Hakim, who believed in me in the face of rejection. I will never forget Mrs. Aishatu Abdullahi Illo Esq., who discovered my potential even when I didn’t realize it. She made me realize myself when I was losing in 2015 with just a simple sentence, “I know you can do it, Rashidat, go and do it.” This is the language that kept me going without doubting myself. Also, my Mama for life, Aisha Muhammad Dantsosho, mni, who nurtured me with her advice, scolds, and applauds, has given me opportunities through different platforms to build my capacity and doesn’t hesitate to get me involved in the decision-making process. The leadership of FIDA Nigeria and NBAWF has also played a major role in my career.
Mentorship for me is a gradual process and has a wider concept, and support usually starts from the grassroots. I have received support and mentorship from many people, too many to mention, from far and near, from my family, friends, professional colleagues, organizations, developmental partners, and media. I have learned a lot from each and every one of them. To everyone I mentioned and those I couldn’t mention due to time constraints, I will forever remain grateful for all the support and contributions you have rendered to me in one form or another towards achieving my dreams. May Allah reward you all abundantly, Ameen.
