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Soji Oyeranmi

Independent Researcher, Environmental/Developmental Historian, Post-Doc

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I am a Nigerian University scholar who recently bagged a Doctor of Literature and philosophy (DLitt et Phil) in Environmental History at the University of South Africa (2018). My Research interests include: Environmental /Urban History, African/Nigerian History,Development Studies, Diplomatic/ International History, Democracy,Peace studies, Entrepreneurship and Leadership

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Dr. Tafadzwa. C . Maramura

University of the Free State

Maonei G L A D Y S Mangwanya

University of Pretoria

Uju R E G I N A Ezenekwe

Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka-Nigeria

Olasunkanmi Balogun

Durban University of Technology

Abdulrasheed Abdulyakeen

Olayiwola Victor Ojo PhD

Shanghai University

Emmanuel Ntim Ofori

SOAS University of London

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Papers by Soji Oyeranmi

China's Successes in Anti-Poverty Drive: Lessons for Africa

Chinese Journal of African Studies , 2024

Irrefutably, poverty is present everywhere in the world, but the kind in Africa is too grave in m... more Irrefutably, poverty is present everywhere in the world, but the kind in Africa is too grave in manifestation and with widest spread in its consequences. In China and other advanced economies, any manifestation of poverty is a challenge to move forward, but in Africa, the reverse is the case. This paper argues that grinding poverty is the main reason for the absence of meaningful development in Africa and that development is retarded on the continent because of pervasive mental and material poverty. However, poverty is not peculiar to Africa. For example, it is a well known fact that China in the pre-reform era had a far higher poverty rate than Africa as a whole at that time. The difference however, lies in the fact that while manifestations of poverty and miseries have propelled China to prosperity and progress under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), poverty remains the gravest hindrance to African development in the 21 st Century. Therefore, the continent and the international community continue to seek for better ways out of extreme poverty and to achieve sustainable development in Africa. Learning from China's anti-poverty strategies and development models by Africa has been dominating the debates. This study critically analyzes the issues of poverty and development in the context of how Africa's relationship with China and vice versa can positively influence anti-poverty efforts and assist in the accomplishment of development in the 21st century Africa.

China's Successes in Anti-poverty and Development Drives: Lessons for the 21 st Century Sub-Saharan Africa

ACRP.” Africa-China Reporting Project, University of Witwatersrand , South Africa, 2022

Irrefutably, poverty is present everywhere in the World. But the kind in Africa is too grave in m... more Irrefutably, poverty is present everywhere in the World. But the kind in Africa is too grave in manifestation and with widest spread in its consequences. As observed by Oyeshola in other places (such as China) any manifestation of poverty is a challenge to move forward but in Africa, the reverse is the case. This paper argues that grinding poverty is the main reason for absence of meaningful development in Africa and that development is retarded on the continent because of all pervasive mental and material poverty. But poverty is not peculiar to Africa. For example, it is a well known fact that China in the pre-reform era had a far higher poverty rate than Africa as a whole at that time. The difference however, lies in the fact that while manifestations of poverty and miseries have propelled China to prosperity and progress poverty remains the gravest hindrance to African development in the 21st Century. Therefore, the continent and international community continue to seek for better ways out of extreme poverty and how to achieve sustainable development in Africa. Learning from Chinese anti-poverty strategies and development models by Africa has been dominating the debates especially since turn of the new millennium. In this paper I examine the issues of poverty and development in the context of how Africa’s relationship with China and vice versa can positively influence anti-poverty efforts and assist in the accomplishment of development in the 21st Century Africa. Some questions are raised with a view to proffer recommendations that may move the continent forward. These are: Is Sino-Afro relation a child of necessity or marriage of convenience? Why do we have developmental debacle in Africa? How was China before and after Reforms? Any link between Poverty Alleviation Strategies and Development in China? Did China have specific anti Poverty strategies for Developing World /Africa? Any Lesson(s) for Africa? Can Africa really develop?
Keywords: Poverty, China ,Africa, Prosperity, Development

“The Petroleum Industry Bill and the Nigerian Economy: A Review”

International Journal of Current Research in the Humanities (IJCRH) No 25, 2021, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana. 175-202. Website: https://crhjournals.org/, 2021

With the ongoing controversies surrounding the purported removal of oil subsidy due to the deregu... more With the ongoing controversies surrounding the purported removal
of oil subsidy due to the deregulation of the downstream oil sector
by the President Buhari’s regime, there is urgent need to revisit the
issues the petroleum industry bill (PIB). Although the PIB has been
described as ‘the most comprehensive piece of legislation in the
history of the Nigerian oil and gas industry’; there are many
provisions in it many interests don’t really appreciate. This has led
to a serious controversy over the bill. For example, foreign oil
companies and even foreign nations see it as an unwelcome intrusion
into their traditional monopoly over the industry and an assault on
their stranglehold over production and profits. The NNPC also
perceives it as an effort to force it to be more open and transparent,
a virtual death sentence for an institution which thrives on lack of
openness and accountability. Northern legislators on their own see
it as further enriching a zone which already takes more than it is
entitled to, and impoverishing their region. South-South legislators
think it makes too little provision for more. Federal government thinks
the legislation is poorly understood by Nigerians, and has become
unduly politicised. It has become obvious that, there is a need for
stakeholders to really find a middle ground at resolving the nagging
controversies stalling the passage of the PIB. It is within this context
that this article reviews and critically considers the Nigerian oil
industry before PIB; reflects on the history of legislation in the oil
sector; highlights the basic provisions of the PIB; brings out its possible
impact on the deregulation of oil sector; examines the controversies
surrounding the bill and its purported benefits to the Nigerian people
and the economy; and suggests some ways out of the quagmire to
ensure the passage of the bill for the greater good of the Nigerian
nation.
Keywords: Nigerian economy, PIB, Foreign oil companies, NNPC,
Poverty

NB: This paper was published few days after the passage of the Petroleum Act (PIA- which emanated from the PIB) by the President Buhari's government in Nigeria

European Union and African Union: A Study of Regionalism for Global Integration and Development

Journal for the Advancement of Developing Economies

Scholars of international political economy have made remarkable inroad into the study of compara... more Scholars of international political economy have made remarkable inroad into the study of comparative integration endeavors across the globe. For examples, over the last few years, comparative studies of the North Atlantic Free Trade Area (NAFTA) and the European Union (EU) had been undertaken to reveal the factors that facilitated the success of each organization in their integration efforts at the regional level. Also, a comparative study of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the European Union has also been undertaken. However, very little effort has been made to reveal the impact or power of regionalism on African development. Enough scholarly attention has not also been given to the latent but eloquent influence of the European Union on the African Union to demonstrate how regional integration and interregional cooperation could promote or hinder African development and global integration. It is in order to fill this lacuna that this work focuses primarily on the role of regionalism in the entrenchment or otherwise of regional integration, good governance and African development through an in-depth comparative study of the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU).

Popular Culture and Resistance to Oppression in Nigeria: An Example of Fela’s Afrobeat

AKETE-Journal of Performing Arts and Cultural Studies, Department of Theater Arts and Music, Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria, 2020

In spite of the abundant human capital and mega oil economy, day to day life of average Nigerians... more In spite of the abundant human capital and mega oil economy, day to day life of average Nigerians remains dismally miserable and unbearable as more than seventy per cent live below poverty line. Internally, people are groaning unabatedly under the hardest economic burden. It is therefore not surprising that Nigerians designed several means of protesting and fighting against systemic failure that had kept them impoverished. And one such channel is the popular culture where Fela's Afrobeat has towered above all other genres in voicing concerns in the fight against oppression, suppression and humiliation of the common man. The article addresses Fela Anikulapo Kuti's Afrobeat career. Fela's highly influential yet controversial music career spanning two decades from the early seventies to the late eighties in Nigeria had its influence felt even beyond the African continent. Synonymous to a radical protest against widespread corruption and unequal distribution of wealth in post-colonial Nigeria, The paper argues that it is therefore not surprising that Nigerians have designed several means of protesting and fighting against systemic failure that had kept them impoverished. It concludes by evaluating the impact of Afrobeat on the consciousness of the people, then and now and bring out values that the present generation are drawing and can still draw from Afrobeat. Due to the contemporary nature of this research, it relies mostly on documentary evidence.

Keywords: Resistance, Mega Oil, Economic burden, Oppression, Protest, Emancipation

Ethnic-Politics, Class Identity and the Crisis of Nation-Building in Nigeria, 1914-1970

KIU Journal of Humanities, 2020

It is quite disturbing to note that in Africa today, there is no country that is not prone to cha... more It is quite disturbing to note that in Africa today, there is no country that is not prone to chaos and anarchy due to the bogey of ethnicity, and Nigeria is no exception. By January 1 st 2014, Nigeria will roll out drums for a centennial celebration with little or nothing to show for this milestone in a life of a "nation." This near-absolute failure of the Nigerian State is due mostly to the perfidious ethic-politics often shrouded in class identity and flaunted by the political elite during their bitter struggle for political offices. As it will be demonstrated in this essay, ethnicity in Nigeria (like in many other African countries), with attendant difficulties, is not as a result of `ancient hatred" among the people. But rather became so dominant in the domestic politics due to the deliberate policy of the British colonialists and the most heinous adoption of this colonial legacy by various Nigerian leaders in the political arena right from the period of decolonization. This essay primarily intends to reexamine the intricacies of the amalgamation of 1914; expose some of the ways through which the colonialists actually entrenched fissiparous tendencies into the Nigerian polity; analyses how the early nationalists built on this atrocious colonial legacy in their quest for political independence and continue to spread the virus up till date in their quest for political power and influence; evaluate the role of ethnic-politics during the Nigerian Civil War. The essay concludes by suggesting some ways out of the quagmire.

Regionalism in Crisis in Africa: AU and Nigeria-South Africa Xenophobic Conflict

by Soji Oyeranmi and Mr Tunde Amoo

Special edition of Nigerian Forum: a Journal of opinion on Global Affairs, Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, Lagos Nigeria, 2020

Where two elephants fight, the grasses will suffer the consequences. Nigeria and South Africa hav... more Where two elephants fight, the grasses will suffer the consequences. Nigeria and South Africa have had frosty relations during apartheid regime. During this period both countries had engineered expulsion of each other from the commonwealth for human rights abuses in the past. Both have also played significant roles towards socioeconomic growth in Africa through regionalism e.g. NEPAD. Unfortunately, the recent

THE JUNE 12 STRUGGLE AS A PHENOMENON IN NIGERIAN POLITICAL HISTORY

Afro Asian Journal of Social Sciences Volume 5, No. 5.2 Quarter II , 2014

Democracy is universally acknowledged as the best form of government as it is inherently emancipa... more Democracy is universally acknowledged as the best form of government as it is inherently emancipatory and guarantees popular participation, freedom in all its ramifications, greater peace and security, protection and preservation of human rights, and many more. Unfortunately however, democracy in Nigeria falls short of all the above mentioned lofty attributes, as it is least emancipatory. Apparently, the problem of ethnic rivalries remain the most virulent factor militating against the entrenchment of democratic ethos/values through which a true and sincere national leadership can evolve to bring the people with differences together and fulfill their collective aspirations. While it is true that the repulsive inter/intra group struggle for elite positions has been entrenched into the Nigeria's political landscape right from the period of colonisation/de-colonization; the events that surrounded the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election (locally and globally seen as the fairest and clearest in Nigeria's political history) demonstrated that the ethnic-factor remained the most potent threat to the continuous corporate survival of the Nigerian federation. These events which led to the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential elections and the eventual truncation of Nigeria's Third Republic will be the primary focus of this essay. Apart from analysing the historical significance of the election: the essay will evaluate many reasons that were given by the Babangida's led military cabal for the annulment; examine why many political pundits regarded June 12, 1993 as "the dawn on Nigerian Renaissance"; establish the link between the annulment and current dire quagmire confronting the country (especially, ethnic militancy and the Boko Haram

Teaching History and National Development in the Third World The Nigerian Experience

World History Connected , 2008

This paper argues that a major reason why so much violence (physical and psychological), aggressi... more This paper argues that a major reason why so much violence (physical and psychological), aggression, hatred, poverty, et cetera, dominate the day to day existence of the people in Nigeria is that, collectively, they lack historical consciousness. They tend, indeed, to act or react based on the present situation and care little about the past. It is therefore not surprising that few care about the kind of future to be built for both the people and the nation. Due to the fact that Nigerian statesmen lack a proper sense of history, the politics of the belly and that of the moment dominate the polity. Merit is consequently slaughtered on the slab of power profiteering. With all these vices, development at all levels in Nigeria remains a wild goose chase.
To escape from this seemingly inescapable quagmire, there is an urgent need to imbue Nigerians with an enduring sense of history. As Professor J. F. A. Ajayi once submitted:
The nation suffers which has no sense of history. Its values remain superficial and ephemeral unless imbued with a deep sense of continuity and perception of success and achievement that transcends acquisition of temporary power or transient wealth. Such a nation cannot achieve a sense of purpose or direction or stability and without them the future is bleak
It is in the light of this that a study of this nature becomes absolutely imperative as part of the ongoing efforts towards the historical awakening of Nigerians. This essay will, inter-alia, focus on the unbreakable nexus between history and national development; bring out the relevance of this link especially at this era of globalization; analyze what a country like Nigeria in search of her soul and awesome technological breakthrough could gain from such an "unattractive" and non-materialistic" discipline such as history; and lastly, will suggest how Nigerians could be imbued with an enduring and proper sense of history for national development.

A Civilisation without Toilets Ibadan and Her Environment in the Post-colonial Era

Sociology and Anthropology 6(2): 187-202,, 2018

It is incontestable that Ibadan presents a despicable environmental picture. In fact, Francis, E... more It is incontestable that Ibadan presents a despicable environmental picture. In fact, Francis, Egbhokare's revised Standard version of Professor J.P Clark’s Ibadan: 'Ibadan/oozing blob of rot and mold squashed and splattered among human wastes/ like Bodija market in the rain' vividly captured the filthy nature of 21st century Ibadan. Indeed, like most of the Nigeria urban areas, there is little evidence of any realistic physical planning. Visits to major streets and residential areas especially the core city centers show a prevalence of uncontrolled heap of refuse in open spaces and all pervasive repulsive odour of open sewers. There is also infrastructural decay: deplorable roads, pitifully inadequate water supply, erratic electricity supply and acute shelter shortage. The picture is generally that of urban disarray. At the heart of problem is the ubiquitousness of non-industrial and industrial pollutants. Individual and corporate bodies are reckless in waste storage and disposal often resulting in environmental hazards inimical to animal and human health. Despite the above environmental challenges, little attention is currently given to the problems. Indeed, many have concluded that filthiness in Ibadan is cultural in origin as the people are dirty by nature. This is why this paper is set to: establish the interdependence of nature and culture on one hand and sanitation and the environment on the other; investigate the root of sanitation crisis in Ibadan; identify stakeholders and their roles in environmental management in Ibadan; examine the efficacy of the governmental strategies in environmental management in Ibadan; assess peoples' attitude and perception to personal hygiene, environmental management and the implications of on their health; suggest some ways out of the crisis.
Keywords Ibadan, Nigeria, Urban Areas, Environmental Hazards, Sanitation, Nature, Culture

EU-AU Relations in a Globalized World: The Implications for Integration and Development of Africa

This study primarily focuses on the role of regionalism in the entrenchment or otherwise of regio... more This study primarily focuses on the role of regionalism in the entrenchment or otherwise of regional integration, good governance and African development through a comparative study of the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU). The factors responsible for the successes and challenges of the European Union in its integration efforts and the attempt to globalise it through its operations in Africa on one hand; and the very modest and limited success of the African Union (with or without inspiration from EU) on the other hand will be examined before a conclusion is drawn on whether or the not this inter regional cooperation is serving (or could serve) any purpose in the much debated roles that regionalism is playing in regional integration and development in the 21 st Century Africa.

China's Successes in Anti-Poverty Drive: Lessons for Africa

Chinese Journal of African Studies , 2024

Irrefutably, poverty is present everywhere in the world, but the kind in Africa is too grave in m... more Irrefutably, poverty is present everywhere in the world, but the kind in Africa is too grave in manifestation and with widest spread in its consequences. In China and other advanced economies, any manifestation of poverty is a challenge to move forward, but in Africa, the reverse is the case. This paper argues that grinding poverty is the main reason for the absence of meaningful development in Africa and that development is retarded on the continent because of pervasive mental and material poverty. However, poverty is not peculiar to Africa. For example, it is a well known fact that China in the pre-reform era had a far higher poverty rate than Africa as a whole at that time. The difference however, lies in the fact that while manifestations of poverty and miseries have propelled China to prosperity and progress under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), poverty remains the gravest hindrance to African development in the 21 st Century. Therefore, the continent and the international community continue to seek for better ways out of extreme poverty and to achieve sustainable development in Africa. Learning from China's anti-poverty strategies and development models by Africa has been dominating the debates. This study critically analyzes the issues of poverty and development in the context of how Africa's relationship with China and vice versa can positively influence anti-poverty efforts and assist in the accomplishment of development in the 21st century Africa.

China's Successes in Anti-poverty and Development Drives: Lessons for the 21 st Century Sub-Saharan Africa

ACRP.” Africa-China Reporting Project, University of Witwatersrand , South Africa, 2022

Irrefutably, poverty is present everywhere in the World. But the kind in Africa is too grave in m... more Irrefutably, poverty is present everywhere in the World. But the kind in Africa is too grave in manifestation and with widest spread in its consequences. As observed by Oyeshola in other places (such as China) any manifestation of poverty is a challenge to move forward but in Africa, the reverse is the case. This paper argues that grinding poverty is the main reason for absence of meaningful development in Africa and that development is retarded on the continent because of all pervasive mental and material poverty. But poverty is not peculiar to Africa. For example, it is a well known fact that China in the pre-reform era had a far higher poverty rate than Africa as a whole at that time. The difference however, lies in the fact that while manifestations of poverty and miseries have propelled China to prosperity and progress poverty remains the gravest hindrance to African development in the 21st Century. Therefore, the continent and international community continue to seek for better ways out of extreme poverty and how to achieve sustainable development in Africa. Learning from Chinese anti-poverty strategies and development models by Africa has been dominating the debates especially since turn of the new millennium. In this paper I examine the issues of poverty and development in the context of how Africa’s relationship with China and vice versa can positively influence anti-poverty efforts and assist in the accomplishment of development in the 21st Century Africa. Some questions are raised with a view to proffer recommendations that may move the continent forward. These are: Is Sino-Afro relation a child of necessity or marriage of convenience? Why do we have developmental debacle in Africa? How was China before and after Reforms? Any link between Poverty Alleviation Strategies and Development in China? Did China have specific anti Poverty strategies for Developing World /Africa? Any Lesson(s) for Africa? Can Africa really develop?
Keywords: Poverty, China ,Africa, Prosperity, Development

“The Petroleum Industry Bill and the Nigerian Economy: A Review”

International Journal of Current Research in the Humanities (IJCRH) No 25, 2021, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana. 175-202. Website: https://crhjournals.org/, 2021

With the ongoing controversies surrounding the purported removal of oil subsidy due to the deregu... more With the ongoing controversies surrounding the purported removal
of oil subsidy due to the deregulation of the downstream oil sector
by the President Buhari’s regime, there is urgent need to revisit the
issues the petroleum industry bill (PIB). Although the PIB has been
described as ‘the most comprehensive piece of legislation in the
history of the Nigerian oil and gas industry’; there are many
provisions in it many interests don’t really appreciate. This has led
to a serious controversy over the bill. For example, foreign oil
companies and even foreign nations see it as an unwelcome intrusion
into their traditional monopoly over the industry and an assault on
their stranglehold over production and profits. The NNPC also
perceives it as an effort to force it to be more open and transparent,
a virtual death sentence for an institution which thrives on lack of
openness and accountability. Northern legislators on their own see
it as further enriching a zone which already takes more than it is
entitled to, and impoverishing their region. South-South legislators
think it makes too little provision for more. Federal government thinks
the legislation is poorly understood by Nigerians, and has become
unduly politicised. It has become obvious that, there is a need for
stakeholders to really find a middle ground at resolving the nagging
controversies stalling the passage of the PIB. It is within this context
that this article reviews and critically considers the Nigerian oil
industry before PIB; reflects on the history of legislation in the oil
sector; highlights the basic provisions of the PIB; brings out its possible
impact on the deregulation of oil sector; examines the controversies
surrounding the bill and its purported benefits to the Nigerian people
and the economy; and suggests some ways out of the quagmire to
ensure the passage of the bill for the greater good of the Nigerian
nation.
Keywords: Nigerian economy, PIB, Foreign oil companies, NNPC,
Poverty

NB: This paper was published few days after the passage of the Petroleum Act (PIA- which emanated from the PIB) by the President Buhari's government in Nigeria

European Union and African Union: A Study of Regionalism for Global Integration and Development

Journal for the Advancement of Developing Economies

Scholars of international political economy have made remarkable inroad into the study of compara... more Scholars of international political economy have made remarkable inroad into the study of comparative integration endeavors across the globe. For examples, over the last few years, comparative studies of the North Atlantic Free Trade Area (NAFTA) and the European Union (EU) had been undertaken to reveal the factors that facilitated the success of each organization in their integration efforts at the regional level. Also, a comparative study of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the European Union has also been undertaken. However, very little effort has been made to reveal the impact or power of regionalism on African development. Enough scholarly attention has not also been given to the latent but eloquent influence of the European Union on the African Union to demonstrate how regional integration and interregional cooperation could promote or hinder African development and global integration. It is in order to fill this lacuna that this work focuses primarily on the role of regionalism in the entrenchment or otherwise of regional integration, good governance and African development through an in-depth comparative study of the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU).

Popular Culture and Resistance to Oppression in Nigeria: An Example of Fela’s Afrobeat

AKETE-Journal of Performing Arts and Cultural Studies, Department of Theater Arts and Music, Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria, 2020

In spite of the abundant human capital and mega oil economy, day to day life of average Nigerians... more In spite of the abundant human capital and mega oil economy, day to day life of average Nigerians remains dismally miserable and unbearable as more than seventy per cent live below poverty line. Internally, people are groaning unabatedly under the hardest economic burden. It is therefore not surprising that Nigerians designed several means of protesting and fighting against systemic failure that had kept them impoverished. And one such channel is the popular culture where Fela's Afrobeat has towered above all other genres in voicing concerns in the fight against oppression, suppression and humiliation of the common man. The article addresses Fela Anikulapo Kuti's Afrobeat career. Fela's highly influential yet controversial music career spanning two decades from the early seventies to the late eighties in Nigeria had its influence felt even beyond the African continent. Synonymous to a radical protest against widespread corruption and unequal distribution of wealth in post-colonial Nigeria, The paper argues that it is therefore not surprising that Nigerians have designed several means of protesting and fighting against systemic failure that had kept them impoverished. It concludes by evaluating the impact of Afrobeat on the consciousness of the people, then and now and bring out values that the present generation are drawing and can still draw from Afrobeat. Due to the contemporary nature of this research, it relies mostly on documentary evidence.

Keywords: Resistance, Mega Oil, Economic burden, Oppression, Protest, Emancipation

Ethnic-Politics, Class Identity and the Crisis of Nation-Building in Nigeria, 1914-1970

KIU Journal of Humanities, 2020

It is quite disturbing to note that in Africa today, there is no country that is not prone to cha... more It is quite disturbing to note that in Africa today, there is no country that is not prone to chaos and anarchy due to the bogey of ethnicity, and Nigeria is no exception. By January 1 st 2014, Nigeria will roll out drums for a centennial celebration with little or nothing to show for this milestone in a life of a "nation." This near-absolute failure of the Nigerian State is due mostly to the perfidious ethic-politics often shrouded in class identity and flaunted by the political elite during their bitter struggle for political offices. As it will be demonstrated in this essay, ethnicity in Nigeria (like in many other African countries), with attendant difficulties, is not as a result of `ancient hatred" among the people. But rather became so dominant in the domestic politics due to the deliberate policy of the British colonialists and the most heinous adoption of this colonial legacy by various Nigerian leaders in the political arena right from the period of decolonization. This essay primarily intends to reexamine the intricacies of the amalgamation of 1914; expose some of the ways through which the colonialists actually entrenched fissiparous tendencies into the Nigerian polity; analyses how the early nationalists built on this atrocious colonial legacy in their quest for political independence and continue to spread the virus up till date in their quest for political power and influence; evaluate the role of ethnic-politics during the Nigerian Civil War. The essay concludes by suggesting some ways out of the quagmire.

Regionalism in Crisis in Africa: AU and Nigeria-South Africa Xenophobic Conflict

by Soji Oyeranmi and Mr Tunde Amoo

Special edition of Nigerian Forum: a Journal of opinion on Global Affairs, Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, Lagos Nigeria, 2020

Where two elephants fight, the grasses will suffer the consequences. Nigeria and South Africa hav... more Where two elephants fight, the grasses will suffer the consequences. Nigeria and South Africa have had frosty relations during apartheid regime. During this period both countries had engineered expulsion of each other from the commonwealth for human rights abuses in the past. Both have also played significant roles towards socioeconomic growth in Africa through regionalism e.g. NEPAD. Unfortunately, the recent

THE JUNE 12 STRUGGLE AS A PHENOMENON IN NIGERIAN POLITICAL HISTORY

Afro Asian Journal of Social Sciences Volume 5, No. 5.2 Quarter II , 2014

Democracy is universally acknowledged as the best form of government as it is inherently emancipa... more Democracy is universally acknowledged as the best form of government as it is inherently emancipatory and guarantees popular participation, freedom in all its ramifications, greater peace and security, protection and preservation of human rights, and many more. Unfortunately however, democracy in Nigeria falls short of all the above mentioned lofty attributes, as it is least emancipatory. Apparently, the problem of ethnic rivalries remain the most virulent factor militating against the entrenchment of democratic ethos/values through which a true and sincere national leadership can evolve to bring the people with differences together and fulfill their collective aspirations. While it is true that the repulsive inter/intra group struggle for elite positions has been entrenched into the Nigeria's political landscape right from the period of colonisation/de-colonization; the events that surrounded the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election (locally and globally seen as the fairest and clearest in Nigeria's political history) demonstrated that the ethnic-factor remained the most potent threat to the continuous corporate survival of the Nigerian federation. These events which led to the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential elections and the eventual truncation of Nigeria's Third Republic will be the primary focus of this essay. Apart from analysing the historical significance of the election: the essay will evaluate many reasons that were given by the Babangida's led military cabal for the annulment; examine why many political pundits regarded June 12, 1993 as "the dawn on Nigerian Renaissance"; establish the link between the annulment and current dire quagmire confronting the country (especially, ethnic militancy and the Boko Haram

Teaching History and National Development in the Third World The Nigerian Experience

World History Connected , 2008

This paper argues that a major reason why so much violence (physical and psychological), aggressi... more This paper argues that a major reason why so much violence (physical and psychological), aggression, hatred, poverty, et cetera, dominate the day to day existence of the people in Nigeria is that, collectively, they lack historical consciousness. They tend, indeed, to act or react based on the present situation and care little about the past. It is therefore not surprising that few care about the kind of future to be built for both the people and the nation. Due to the fact that Nigerian statesmen lack a proper sense of history, the politics of the belly and that of the moment dominate the polity. Merit is consequently slaughtered on the slab of power profiteering. With all these vices, development at all levels in Nigeria remains a wild goose chase.
To escape from this seemingly inescapable quagmire, there is an urgent need to imbue Nigerians with an enduring sense of history. As Professor J. F. A. Ajayi once submitted:
The nation suffers which has no sense of history. Its values remain superficial and ephemeral unless imbued with a deep sense of continuity and perception of success and achievement that transcends acquisition of temporary power or transient wealth. Such a nation cannot achieve a sense of purpose or direction or stability and without them the future is bleak
It is in the light of this that a study of this nature becomes absolutely imperative as part of the ongoing efforts towards the historical awakening of Nigerians. This essay will, inter-alia, focus on the unbreakable nexus between history and national development; bring out the relevance of this link especially at this era of globalization; analyze what a country like Nigeria in search of her soul and awesome technological breakthrough could gain from such an "unattractive" and non-materialistic" discipline such as history; and lastly, will suggest how Nigerians could be imbued with an enduring and proper sense of history for national development.

A Civilisation without Toilets Ibadan and Her Environment in the Post-colonial Era

Sociology and Anthropology 6(2): 187-202,, 2018

It is incontestable that Ibadan presents a despicable environmental picture. In fact, Francis, E... more It is incontestable that Ibadan presents a despicable environmental picture. In fact, Francis, Egbhokare's revised Standard version of Professor J.P Clark’s Ibadan: 'Ibadan/oozing blob of rot and mold squashed and splattered among human wastes/ like Bodija market in the rain' vividly captured the filthy nature of 21st century Ibadan. Indeed, like most of the Nigeria urban areas, there is little evidence of any realistic physical planning. Visits to major streets and residential areas especially the core city centers show a prevalence of uncontrolled heap of refuse in open spaces and all pervasive repulsive odour of open sewers. There is also infrastructural decay: deplorable roads, pitifully inadequate water supply, erratic electricity supply and acute shelter shortage. The picture is generally that of urban disarray. At the heart of problem is the ubiquitousness of non-industrial and industrial pollutants. Individual and corporate bodies are reckless in waste storage and disposal often resulting in environmental hazards inimical to animal and human health. Despite the above environmental challenges, little attention is currently given to the problems. Indeed, many have concluded that filthiness in Ibadan is cultural in origin as the people are dirty by nature. This is why this paper is set to: establish the interdependence of nature and culture on one hand and sanitation and the environment on the other; investigate the root of sanitation crisis in Ibadan; identify stakeholders and their roles in environmental management in Ibadan; examine the efficacy of the governmental strategies in environmental management in Ibadan; assess peoples' attitude and perception to personal hygiene, environmental management and the implications of on their health; suggest some ways out of the crisis.
Keywords Ibadan, Nigeria, Urban Areas, Environmental Hazards, Sanitation, Nature, Culture

EU-AU Relations in a Globalized World: The Implications for Integration and Development of Africa

This study primarily focuses on the role of regionalism in the entrenchment or otherwise of regio... more This study primarily focuses on the role of regionalism in the entrenchment or otherwise of regional integration, good governance and African development through a comparative study of the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU). The factors responsible for the successes and challenges of the European Union in its integration efforts and the attempt to globalise it through its operations in Africa on one hand; and the very modest and limited success of the African Union (with or without inspiration from EU) on the other hand will be examined before a conclusion is drawn on whether or the not this inter regional cooperation is serving (or could serve) any purpose in the much debated roles that regionalism is playing in regional integration and development in the 21 st Century Africa.