The Nigerian Scam

Around the middle of September, Africa's richest (abi wealthiest) man Alhaji Aliko Dangote announced the public offer.We discuss in this episode, the general range of reactions, his possible motivations and the lasting consequence. We quip over the motivations for buying a piece of Aliko and the exerted marketing (some might say hawking) of his shares by Nigerian banks and quasi-financial institutions.We extend our conversation to the rationale for even listing on the Nigerian Exchange Group (Nigerian Stock Exchange) in an inflation battered economy. We also review the frailties of Nigerian financial institutions with regards to what percentage of company profits actually goes to 'labour'.Finally, we link this conversation to a broader discussion about the price of fuel, subsidy removal and the upcoming elections.Is the excitement over owning a piece of Aliko manufactured? Is this simply a money printing exercise for Dangote? Where is the place of the Nigerian left in all the frenzy?Listen and find out in our latest episode!

In this episode, we sit down with Tosin Adetola, a Nigerian Marxist psychoanalyst to discuss his essay on the "Olodo Uprising". Starting with a brief summary of the origins of the term and the events and personalities involved in its invocation, we delve into the talking points and threads of the argument explored in the essay. We then proceed to discuss the decay of the educational institution as a symptom of the failure of Nigerian state and capitalism in Nigeria. After examining the utility of the entertainment industry online as a tool for interclass mobility, we also explore the (un)ironic allegiance of certain actors to capitalism as well as their aspirations for higer spots on the totem pole. We conclude by explaining the capture of the online space by these personlities and the deployment of the streaming space as a mirror of Nigerian society to a larger global audience. Is this a case of the intelligentsia feeling left out? Is the failure of the educational institution feeding into pop culture? How have the main "olodos" played into and settled within the capitalist system? Listen and find out in this episode!

In this episode we are joined by Omole Ibukun who is a socialist activist based in Abuja, Nigeria. In the spirit of charity we go on to discuss possible achievements that Nigerian neoliberalism may lay claim to. We place ourselves in the seats of neoliberalism's praise singers, trying on their goggles and poking at the fruits of their harvest. From relatively mundane gifts like a new economic vocabulary and the transnationalism of Nigerian banks to more stimulating gifts like the rise of motivational speakers and the globalization of Afrobeats, we navigate our individual lists of the goodies that neoliberalism has brought.We also go on various tangents to discuss: the rise of religion as pain relief, historical and military regime-influenced variants of neoliberalism, the effect of neoliberalism on Nigerian party politics and the cultural influence of neoliberalism.Despite an understanding that even neoliberalism's so called gifts are immiserating, we attempt to answer questions like "Why are there still intra-neoliberal squabbles?", "How do certain political figures represent variants of neoliberalism?", "What parts of the Nigerian culture can we ascribe to neoliberalism?".Listen and let us know what made it into your own lists.

Did you know that Sydney Poitier once starred as a Nigerian anti-colonial leftist? Can an obviously anti-communist film also be entertaining, commendable, and even (somewhat) accurate? In this episode we present our reactions to the 1957 film: The Mark of the Hawk, arguably the best reactionary film every made about Nigeria. Starring Sidney Poitier and Eartha Kitt and shot in Enugu, this film explores the theme of violence and colonialism from different groups within the anti-colonial movement and the colonial government in the waning days of British rule in Nigeria. While giving us a window into what Hollywood thought of decolonization in Africa, the film also shows us different approaches that different parts of the Nigerian society took towards decolonization, revolution, and nation building. We attempted to evaluate the picture both as a piece of art and as political propaganda. Using different characters to represent sections and sentiments of religious and business interests, the film acts as a message to societies that were seeking to throw off the cloak of colonial power in the late 50s and early 60s.What was the goal of the filmmakers? Is the film a genius blend of liberal pacifism and anti-communist McCarthyism? Was the movie a cautionary tale about the Zikists?If you are interested, have answers and also want to listen to Eartha Kitt speak Igbo, listen to the episode to know whether you should also check the movie out.

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.