Studies have shown that from earliest time in Africa women have played supportive role especially when it came to politics and governance examples of this is the presence of a queen to support a king. Despite the changes occurring around the world in relation to women participation in politics and clamour for equality, it cannot be overlooked that women still plays supportive roles. The above supportive role marshals in the position of a first lady, this role is attached to being the wife of the president an example is the United States of America Ex-President Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama.
In relation to Africa, it could be said that despite the evidence of a changing status of women in post-colonial Africa politics, women presence is still minute. Thus in attempt to play a role in politics, African women have keyed into the First Lady Syndrome which came into play since the 1990s.
The First Lady Sydrome simply denotes a phenomenon in which political space is being appropriated and used by the wives of men in power, for furthering the interests of the women folk and the wider society. It is a political phenomenon that has been traced to the World Summit for the Economic Advancement of Rural Women hosted in Geneva, Switzerland in 1992 . at the initiative of six First Ladies, three of whom, Maryam Babangida (Nigeria), Elizabeth Diouf (Senegal) and Suzanne Moubarak (Egypt), were Africans.
In relation to Nigeria, the office of the first lady position was instituted by Maryam Babaginda. Thus with this position came the possibilities for betterment of women in Nigeria as no woman is yet to occupy the office of the president. Evidences have shown that there are contributions of Maryam Babaginda to Gender sensitisation, political participation, gender awareness and women empowerment. Maryam Babaginda attempted toward gender sensitisation, and empowerment through the Better Life for Rural Women Programme and other pet projects.
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