In this episode which we recorded a day after the passing of Professor Biodun Jeyifo (the founding president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)), we host Juwon Sanyaolu. Juwon is a co-host of the "Voice of Workers" podcast, the national coordinator of the TakeItBack movement, and a member of the "Ogba mafia". Juwon is also a writer, literary critic, activist and a citizen reporter. We probe into student radicalism via the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ife as a cornerstone of leftist politics in Nigeria. We dive into the history, volatility, grouping and current decline of student radicalism on the OAU campus. We also cycle through bodies and organisations created and leading comrades on campus in OAU. We discuss many things such as intervention against right wing cultism, the battle against cult groups, welfare of students and other national issues. Surviving the military era, splits in student political groups and neoliberal reforms, we tackle OAU as a bastion of radicalism. We also discuss critical events, the student union, the fading influence of radical politics, the role of OAU in off campus politics and the longer term legacy in OAU. What is it about OAU that makes it a breeding ground for leftists? How does a university meant to reproduce post-colonial elites end up having such a strong left culture?

We start this episode discussing the latest international and local developments in the last few months. We begin with the massive display of wealth in the midst of growing inequality in the South East by Igbo bigwigs during the festive period. We use this as an entry point to discuss poverty and wealth gaps in Nigeria.We also reflect on what has been taking place in Nigeria namely the airstrike in Sokoto before briefly reacting to Venezuela and the US's strong hand in international geopolitics. We delve extensively into the actions of ADC, LP, APC and Peter Obi. Is any of it worth paying attention to? Or is it all pointless in the context of ideological similarities and the chances of genuine political change. Are they all the same? We do a breakdown of LP situation, the split in SE political elites over Peter Obi and the possible meaning of symbolism of Peter Obi's latest political moves.We then turn our attention to US intervention in Nigeria and Venezuela. Have we entered a new phase of US belligerence? Is this an increase or is it just more available to view? how much are the imperial vulgarities down to Trump as a person versus textbook US foreign policy? Listen and let us know your thoughts.

In this episode, we pick the brains of an ex-APC insider Tabia Princewill (@TabiaPrincewill) , a former editor of The Guardian. She runs us through her journey as a returning diasporan, her entry into Nigerian politics in 2011, her awakening as a leftist and her experiences within the Nigerian government. With the unique perspective of a Marxist who worked within Buhari's government and Lagos State's government she shines a light on her disillusionments and the lessons learned from her experience.Standing at the intersection of gender dynamic awareness, class consciousness and ethnic politics in Nigeria, she gives a very particular and interesting view into the gears and inner workings behind the federal and state government structures. What does progressivism really mean in Nigeria? How complicit is everyone in the perpetuation of the system? Does entryism work to change the system ever? How "socialist" was Buhari's government? What is the worth of the best intentions within the party system? Listen and find out in our latest episode.

In our latest episode, we host the the amazing PoliticalBaby (@Mao_0k), a cultural theorist, video essayist and scholar of contemporary Nigerian anthropology. We start off discussing the constraints of social media as a space for education, politics, interrogation and digital activism. We define her works as a living archive and an effort to preserve collective memory in the playground of Elon Musk and the Nigerian state.We work through barren status symbols in Nigerian society and class consciousness in the collective Nigerian headspace. We tackle the parameters of class definition in comparison to other countries, the tangibility of pseudo class structures and the interpretation of wealth in the Nigerian context.We then consider the gendered dimension of status with women being the canvas of consumption while simultaneously being at the sharpest end of critique. We examine Nigerian men, structural dependency and culpability in maintaining hierarchical gendered relations. We talk about everything from the economy and aesthetics of clubbing to Detty December, Third world labour, transactionalism and foreign exchange.Are Nigeria men the worst? Who is online political content created for realistically? How does one draw the line between content creation and digital activism? Listen to what we think and let us know your thoughts in the comments.For your attention guys..

As the talks of an American invasion pick up speed, and Nicki Minaj takes centre stage in manufacturing consent, we check the temperature of the proceedings. With the knowledge that a US armed intervention has never left a region better than it was, we interrogate internal support for the American boots on Nigerian soil. We evaluate the dynamics of the Tinubu-Trump relationship, the underutilisation of Nigeria's mining sector and US foreign policy during Trump's tenure in an effort to understand the desire to intervene in Nigeria's affairs. Nigeria's recent flings with France and China also come into question along with the failure/unwillingness of the Nigerian government to sort out security within its borders. We also look at the level of possible enthusiam within the US congress, political class and even the general public contrasting the desire to invade Nigeria with the Israeli situation. We end the episode picking at the competence of Nigeria's political class wondering if cutting some version of a beneficial deal is possible at all. Is this a case of TACO? (Trump Always Chickens Out), Is Trump simply looking to cut a deal? Will we see marines landing in Nasarawa? Where does the Nigerian support for a foreign invasion come from?

We start off this episode discussing immigrants in the UK, in light of ultranationalism and right-wing anti-immigrant sentiment that is sweeping across Europe. Beginning with the creation of the welfare state from exploitation of the global south, through the place of developing countries in the global economy, to the aging population of the UK, and the fracturing of labour power by neoliberalism, we strip bare the electoral calculus behind the promise of anti-immigration. We also evaluate the function of consumerism in dealing with the grief of surviving the neoliberal order. We look, ultimately, at the growth of APC's stronghold in Southern Nigeria in the lead up to the 2027 election as the Enugu state governor, amongst others, defects to APC. With such defections in usual PDP strongholds, the imminent implosion of PDP and a lot of uncertainty with the LP, questions remain about who will stabilise Nigeria's bourgeios democracy. The last-minute electoralism of the Obidient movement leaves no obvious answers. What is the strength of the opposition to the APC? What is the fate of immigrants in the global north? Listen and let us know your thoughts.

We decided to go 'guns-a-blazing' on the subject of the purported persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The idea that Nigeria is being overrun by a hidden Islamisation/jihad agenda was a talking point restricted to more conspiratorial circles — until recently. That none other than the president of the United States has embraced the idea— promising to rise in defence of Nigerian Christians — suggests how quickly the discourse has gained mainstream currency. In this episode we discuss the rise of the “Christian genocide discourse” attempting to separate fact from fiction. We sift through incidents, reactions, possible reasons and consequences to the violence in the middle belt. Revisiting the history and origins of the bloodshed, we look at the factors causing the violence today.How seriously should we take the growing interest in Nigeria among the hawkish factions of Congress and the Trump Administration? Will the US intervene to save Nigerian Christians? What can be done to improve the security situation in Nigeria?Enjoy — and have a blessed Sunday.

After a long rainy season break, we reflect on the latest changes in the recent past in Nigeria and beyond. We assess the deafening but underlying hum of tribalism and its outlets in material reality. We dissect its possible triggers, usefulness and beneficiaries in Nigerian society. From fire outbreaks and flash floods to mass layoffs at the Dangote refinery, we sift through national current affairs and dysfunction.We breeze through the current administration's report card and the usefulness of the "Tinubu built Lagos" narrative to the his current administration. In conclusion, we discuss Dangote's conflict with various unionsIs this rightwing shift towards ethno-nationalism simply a campaign strategy? A symptom of economic strife? Both? Are we worse than our elders? Why does Dangote keep fighting one union after the other? Find out in our latest episode.

Some weeks ago, Nigerian billionaire Femi Otedola announced his new book titled "Making it Big" which was intended to reveal lessons about overcoming challenges and building successful businesses as an underdog. Rapid fire online responses were quick to point out his (and other success stories) silver spoon and challenged his capacity to give us any useful underdog advice. This spilled into a wider "Nepo vs Lapo" baby discussion. Was this a rare moment of class consciousness or bickering between the disgruntled and diminishing middle class? Is there any useful financial advice worth giving in Tinubu's Nigeria? What are the chances of making it as a "Lapo" baby today in Nigeria? Listen to our thoughts and let us know in the comments either as a "Nepo" or "Lapo" baby if we have misrepresented your case.😉

This episode judges the murmurs of a new coalition on the horizon of Nigeria's electoral politics. We wade deep into the horse race (aided by many more mixed metaphors) to evaluate the chances of victory of the various Presidential/VP pairings come 2027. The usual conversation about regional balances and comparisons of what each player might bring to the table follows. Is there victory for anyone in this coalition without Peter Obi?But we also turn to more consequential questions: How does the excitement (or indifference) around this new coalition compare to the fanfare that accompanied the birth of the APC? In light of declining voter turnouts and the disillusionment that has grown during Tinubu’s tenure, can this new coalition rescue Tinubu’s ‘reform’ trajectory and Nigerian democracy? Listen and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.