Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf: Nigeria’s First Female Newspaper Editor and Feminist Icon
Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf: Nigeria’s First Female Newspaper Editor and Feminist Icon
Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf was born on December 2, 1952, in Kano, Nigeria, and died on September 24, 2015, during the tragic stampede at the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
She began her early education at Ansar Primary School, Kano, and later attended Government Girls College, Dala, Kano.
She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, followed by a Master’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA, and later an advanced degree in Journalism from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Russia, in 1986.
Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf was a trailblazing Nigerian journalist, becoming the first woman to head a national newspaper in Nigeria, editing The Triumph (Kano), The New Nigerian (Kaduna), and Citizen Magazine.
She was a passionate human rights activist, co-founding organizations like Women in Nigeria (WIN) and the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), and working as Executive Director of Advocacy Nigeria to reduce maternal and child mortality.
Known for promoting interfaith dialogue, she was also a member of the Nigeria Interfaith Action Association Against Malaria (NIFAAM).
Her regular newspaper column, “Civil Society Watch,” was a platform for advocating women’s empowerment and social justice.
Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf remains a symbol of courage and excellence in journalism, activism, and leadership.
Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf Wiki Profile
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf |
| Date of Birth | 2 December 1952 |
| Date of Death | 24 September 2015 (aged 62) |
| Place of Death | Mina, Saudi Arabia |
| Cause of Death | Crowd crush during Hajj pilgrimage |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Primary Education | Ansar Primary School, Kano (1964) |
| Secondary Education | Government Girls College, Dala, Kano |
| Tertiary Education | – B.Sc. Political Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria |
| – M.A. International Relations, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA | |
| – Diploma in Journalism and International Relations, Moscow State Institute | |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, Columnist, Editor |
| Employers | Daily Trust, Leadership Newspapers |
| Notable Positions | First female editor of Sunday Triumph, New Nigerian, Citizen Magazine |
| Organizations | – Women in Nigeria (WIN) |
| – Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) | |
| – Advocacy Nigeria | |
| Known For | Journalism, Women’s Rights Activism, Interfaith Dialogue |
| Spouses | – Alhaji Sanusi Ciroma Yusuf (first husband) |
| – Mustapha Bintube (second husband) | |
| Children | – Moshood Sanusi Yusuf (son) |
| – Nana Fatima (daughter) | |
| Legacy | Nigeria’s first female newspaper editor; feminist icon; interfaith advocate |
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Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf Early Life and Education
Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf was born on December 2, 1952, in Kano State, Nigeria, into a respected and educated family.
From an early age, she exhibited a deep passion for learning and social justice.
She began her formal education at Ansar Primary School in Kano, where she laid the foundation for her academic excellence.
She then proceeded to Government Girls College, Dala, Kano, a reputable institution that nurtured her intellectual growth and leadership potential.
Driven by a strong desire to serve and lead, she pursued higher education at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science.
Her academic journey didn’t stop there.
She traveled to the United States, where she obtained a Master’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Recognizing the power of the media in shaping public discourse, she later studied journalism at the prestigious Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) in Russia, earning an advanced degree in Journalism in 1986.
Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf Career
Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf was a trailblazing figure in Nigerian journalism, known for being the first female newspaper editor in Northern Nigeria.
Her career began in the 1970s, shortly after her return from the United States and Russia, where she acquired a world-class education in political science and journalism.
She worked with several leading newspapers and quickly rose through the ranks due to her sharp intellect, integrity, and commitment to ethical journalism.
She served as the editor of the Sunday Triumph, New Nigerian, and Citizen Magazine, making history in each role.
Her writings often addressed national development, women’s rights, interfaith dialogue, and social justice.
A fearless journalist, she used her pen to challenge oppression and advocate for the marginalized, particularly Northern Nigerian women.
In addition to her editorial work, she was also a columnist, writing influential pieces that reached a wide audience across Nigeria.
Bilkisu was one of the founding members of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), through which she championed women’s education, empowerment, and participation in public life.
She also contributed to national assignments, including roles with the National Political Reform Conference and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Bilkisu Yusuf’s career extended beyond journalism; she was a respected public speaker, activist, and mentor to many younger journalists and women leaders.
Until her death, she continued to write and speak on national issues, especially those concerning governance, women’s development, and religious harmony.
Her legacy in journalism and advocacy is lasting, as she helped pave the way for future generations of female professionals in Northern Nigeria and beyond.
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Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf Personal Life
In her personal life, Yusuf was first married to Alhaji Sanusi Ciroma Yusuf, with whom she had two children: Moshood Sanusi Yusuf and Nana Fatima.
After their divorce, she married Mustapha Bintube.
She was honored with the title “Hajiya” after completing the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Tragically, she died in the 2015 Mina stampede during the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, while serving as a leader of women on behalf of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.
Her legacy endures as a trailblazer in journalism and a passionate advocate for women’s rights and interfaith dialogue.
Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf Death
On September 24, 2015, Yusuf was among the over 2,000 pilgrims who tragically lost their lives in a stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia, during the Hajj pilgrimage.
She was serving as a leader of women on behalf of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria at the time.
Her death was widely mourned across Nigeria and beyond, with tributes highlighting her contributions to journalism, women’s rights, and interfaith dialogue.
Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf Contex
Saudi Arabia, with a population of over 27 million, is home to Islam’s two holiest sites: Masjid al-Haram in Mecca—the destination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, and Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina, the burial place of Prophet Muhammad.
The Hajj pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam, is a religious duty expected to be performed at least once in a lifetime by every able Muslim.
Each year, thousands of pilgrims from around the world travel to Mecca along marked paths, including the Jamarat Bridge area in Mina.
Nigeria, located in West Africa, faces significant social challenges, including strong patriarchal norms that often marginalize women, as well as extreme poverty and drug-related issues.
The country also experienced a tragic event in 2014 when Boko Haram abducted 219 schoolgirls from Chibok, drawing global attention to Nigeria’s ongoing security and humanitarian struggles.
Although efforts led to the rescue of around 100 girls by 2017, the crisis highlighted deep societal issues.
Against this backdrop, Nigerian pilgrims like Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf undertook the Hajj pilgrimage, which is both a spiritual journey and an opportunity for leadership and representation, as seen in her role with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.
The complexities of Nigerian society and the significance of Hajj intertwine in the lives of pilgrims making this sacred journey.
