Nigeria is the world’s poverty capital. But while acknowledging this poverty, rarely do we in the same breadth discuss the other toxic byproduct of Nigerian capitalism: billionaires. The 2025 Oxfam report indicates a surge in billionaire wealth in Nigeria. In this episode, we examine a few of the figures with the largest chunks of the pie.The first part of the episode explores the origins of our most notable oligarchs. Naturally, some of the names that arise include Aliko Dangote, Mike Adenuga, Femi Otedola and Abdulsamad Rabiu — but also the lesser remembered but extremely influential man who set the tone for all of the above (listen to find out whom). Can the scales be rebalanced? Are the people resisting them sufficiently?The second part of the episode zooms in on another previously unknown but increasingly prominent billionaire businessman: Gilbert Chagoury. We run through the infamous relationship between Chagoury and Abacha and Chagoury’s centrality from the late 90s to the foundations of Nigeria neoliberal democracy up till the present day.We look at the influence of billionaires in Nigerian politics, the foreign networks, and handshakes-past-the-elbow that strengthen the bases of decrepit government institutions. Who is your favorite Nigerian billionaire? Tell us yours in the comments and find out ours in this episode!

In the light of Peter Obi and Kwankwaso leaving the promising but still born ADC (African Democratic Congress) to join the NDC (Nigeria Democratic Congress), we track the latest developments regarding the 2027 presidential election. We discuss the ongoing fragmentation and soldering of the opposition to the incumbent government. We also probe the likelihood of the weaponisation of the question of the subsidy removal and its process. In addition to the conversation on voter turnout, we examine the potential candidates for Atiku and an increase in Tinubu’s popularity. Issues like the economic question, the zoning question and the non-voting demographic are also tabled. Are we back to where we were with fragmented opposition that basically allows Tinubu to stay in office? Will voter turnout increase? Should we expect an identical situation to the last election? Listen and find out what we think.

In this episode, we examine the Nigerian protest culture, why it has not fundamentally transformed the political terrain while delineating theoretical and practical strategies. In the face of heightened insecurity in Nigeria, we also probe the dynamics and evolution of crime from the urban, peri urban and rural areas. We juxtaposed these with the State's security architecture and why it has proven to be ineffective at curbing crime and only shown potency at oppressing citizens and impeding organic social movements. In the concluding parts, we focused on the likely entry points for the Nigerian left and if changes in the security situation is really on the horizon

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. When the Soviet Union collapsed, symbolized by the fall of the so called 'Iron Curtain' , the left world-wide entered into a period of crisis and decline. There were few exceptional places in the world were local left experiments remind viable and vibrant. The Obafemi Awolowo University is one of those places. Why is that? That's the question this episode seeks to answer.In the discussion, with one of OAU's finest, 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 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.