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 unions

Is 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.

After years of beating around the bush, we bring you our latest Scam Hall of Fame episode focused on the infamous Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs). In the episode we argue that the SAPS were one of the central — if not the defining— scam(s) of the post-colonial period. To do this, we spend some time defining SAPs; talking through the rabbit and hat process by which SAPs were formally implemented under the IBB junta; and exploring the legacy of SAPS in contemporary Nigeria. The episode covers Nigeria's early ventures into austerity from the Gowon and Obasanjo military regimes, to the era of neoliberal puberty in the Babangida regime and down to its full blown adulthood in these Tinubu times.

We also deal with some contradictory aspects of Nigeria’s liberalization journey. If Nigeria truly neo-liberalised then why is it still a difficult environment for business? Were there valid reasons for the Structural Adjustment Programs? Is there any positive effect of the SAP in Nigeria?

Listen and let us know how SAPs compare to the other great scams of Nigerian history.

After a health break, we return in this episode to consider the Nigerian president's report card halfway through his term. Is he the bold liberalising force Nigeria, nay Africa, has been waiting for?

What can be said of the achievements and limitations of Tinubu’s domestic and foreign policy direction, two years into his tenure?

We discuss his efforts in comparison to his predecessor and in the context of Nigeria’s 40 year romance with neoliberalism.

The conversation also considers BAT’s foreign policy achievements and mishaps, especially in respect to the emergence of AES, his stance at the head of ECOWAS and his relationships with Washington and Paris. We also examine the possible oppositions to his re-election and the possibility of the rise of a popular mass movement against another tenure. Why isn't Tinubu easier to oppose? How much more neoliberal can we get? Who will survive in these Tinubu times? Listen and find out what we think.

In our latest current affairs episode we analyze the state of the APC and early rumblings of a mainstream opposition coalition ahead of 2027. Is the APC losing or simply reconstituting its elite base in the north? What is the strength of the ruling coalition? What might its fissures in the north and new ‘transfers’ in the south indicate about what might happen in the 2027 presidential elections? Will Nigerians fall for yet another neoliberal “bait and switch” via the SDP?

We also talk about the strength of the popular movement independent of mainstream political parties. How are they reacting to these economic pressures, possible alliances and their chances within the electoral arena? To close the episode, we discuss the rampant insecurity and rural mass murders in the Middle Belt analyzing it outside the usual veil of presidential conspiracy. We hope you enjoy listening and a happy May Day to you. Also let us know in the comments how you feel about the discussion and our new intro music.

Through a reflection on recent occurrences we dissect sexism and patriarchy in Nigeria along with our guest, comrade Haleesa, from the Out of The Box podcast. Focusing on electoral politics, employment rates, ownership and education, we discuss the challenges facing women in Nigeria. We examine the strength of a feminist counter movement and the strength of representation in challenging the status quo.

We also look at the journey of feminism so far through the lens of policy, social organization and identity formation in our African society. We scrutinize the gains that have been made for the rights of women culturally, legally and sociologically in recent times whilst exploring the intersection of class exploitation and gender dynamics. Are we pushing towards a more egalitarian society? Have things regressed? What is the way forward with regards to the fight for womens' emancipation in Nigeria?

Days after the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in light of the sexual harrassment allegations she tabled against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, we discuss the socio-cultural ripple effects of her defiance against the rotten political institution. What, if anything, might her actions might mean for women in lower economic strata of society?

We also examine the consequences of stratification among men within patriarchy and the defense of this system by higher ranking women who might seem to benefit even if only temporarily.