A 25-year-old woman, Hindatu Umar has become the chairperson of one of the biggest and oldest councils in Kebbi state, where women are politically relegated for cultural reasons. 


Umar's appointment to lead the Argungu local council is unprecedented, not only is she the first woman to take up the post, but also the first council leader not to be married.

Ms Umar became the chairperson after the government ordered all council chairmen in Kebbi state whose tenures had expired to relinquish authority to the most senior official in their municipalities.

She had been the deputy to the former administrator. Some people have expressed reservations over her succession to power. 

They argue that she lacks the experience and boldness to govern a local government like Argungu with all its complexities, BBC reports.