Fatmatta Rawdatu Kanu (nee Bangurah) was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone in 1941. She grew up in Freetown and after completing her secondary education and teacher's certificate there, she spent 15 years studying and working in Canada, England, Germany and Brussels with her husband, Dr. Sheka Hassan Kanu.

During those years, Fatmatta completed her Bachelor of Arts with a major in History and a minor in Education from the University of Maryland and her Masters in International Relations from Boston University. She completed these studies while supporting her husband in diplomatic service and raising their eight children.  And now has published her memoirs.