The Royal African Society will on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 examine the struggle to overcome sexism in Africa’s most populous country in a special Africa Utopia edition of its popular #HowToFixNigeria series.

Chaired by broadcaster, producer and CEO of Oya Media, Funmi Iyanda, the panel will discuss gender inequality in Nigeria and look at the ways in which women and men are fighting back against patriarchal oppression.

Funmi will lead the discussion featuring international women rights and social development consultant, Fatimah Kelleher; women’s protection and empowerment specialist, Dorcas Erskine, and Nigerian author, Elnathan John.

For three years, the series has covered new thoughts in development for Nigeria in areas including history, elections and economy.

Former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Professor Charles Soludo; Nigerian economic affairs specialist, Feyi Fawehinmi, and Head of Africa Country Risk at IHS, Natznet Tesfay, discussed the nation’s economy, currency crisis and other infrastructural problems in the last edition held on March 30, 2016.

For the next edition, experts – male and female – will discuss Nigeria’s development in the area of building full human capacity with women participating equally alongside men in development.

Why does equality continue to be a gender battlefield? How do we ensure inclusivity of all in dismantling patriarchy? Does patriarchy limit men? What is the origin of patriarchy in modern day Nigeria?

Those are some of the questions that will be answered from 18:30pm to 20:00pm at the Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall, London, on August 31.

Free and open to all without prior registration, the event is presented in partnership with Oya Media as part of the Africa Utopia Festival.

Social media users can join the discussion using the #HowToFixNigeria hashtag.

•Photo shows Funmi Iyanda.

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