"Being in an environment with ambitious people prompts me to improve and that’s what I like about being a Warwick student."

Law and Sociology student

Second-year Law and Sociology student

What’s your favourite part about being Warwick student?

I really like the atmosphere at Warwick as students are always getting ready for the next jump - though it may be tiring at times, Warwick students know what they want and are really ambitious. For instance, one of my closest friends is juggling being on two society executive committees, a summer internship and her degree. Being in an environment with ambitious people prompts me to improve and that’s what I like about being a Warwick student.

What advice would you give to future students, or a great piece of advice you have been given?

My biggest piece of advice is to step out of your comfort zone! That’s the biggest thing

because it’s a fresh start and it’s important to always try new things (that you want to do). For instance, I’m quite reserved and love sticking to myself or close friends but I did step out of my comfort zone a few times in first year and it made a difference.

What are your aspirations for the future?

This is cliche but I want to contribute to making the world a better place for the most marginalised people, especially the disabled. Other than this, I am still undecided on career paths.

What do you think the biggest challenge women are facing today?

Women come with varying intersectionalities so different women face different things. I think a big challenge that people overlook are how women and girls in poorer regions are being impacted by climate change, health issues, FGM, misogyny, gender based violence and sexual violence. Until all women can be ‘free’, no woman is free. Some of the battles that Western women face are always spotlighted (whether it’s gender pay gap, which is valid) in the media but we don’t hear anything about the other women and girls. For instance, when over 279 girls in Northern Nigeria were kidnapped, the media never blurred their faces. That really upset me because if these weren’t Black African girls, the situation wouldn’t be the same.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

I love that IWD spotlights the achievements of women but we still have a long way to go. We need to put an emphasis on the ‘international’ part too - so many women around the globe are doing amazing things for women and girls and we must celebrate their achievements too. In particular, I really love the Feminist Coalition, which champions equality for women in Nigeria as it is very patriarchal country. Furthermore, IWD prompts me to reflect on women in history that have achieved so much but their stories were never told - women such as Hajiya Gambo Sawaba who advocated for girls in North Nigeria and women such as Aissata Kane who advocated for girls in Mauritania.

Is there a woman you look to for inspiration?

My mom is my number one inspiration!