The Nigerian Scam

The Nigerian Scam
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Can the talakawa sorosoke? The Nigerian Scam examines politics, history, and culture from class and ideological perspectives.

  1. 6 hr ago

    67. Anti-Communism in Enugu: Was Poitier's Film a Warning to Pan-Africanists? A Review of Mark of the Hawk 1957

    It turns out that Sidney Poitier once starred as a Nigerian anti-colonial leftist, alongside the legendary Eartha Kitt. Shot in Enugu during the waning days of British rule—so historic that Premier Nnamdi Azikiwe temporarily vacated the Premier’s Lodge to let them shoot on site—the 1957 film 'The Mark of the Hawk' is arguably the best reactionary film ever made about Nigeria. But can an obviously anti-communist, Cold War propaganda film actually be entertaining, commendable, and even (partially) historically accurate? In this episode, we unpack how Hollywood viewed African decolonization and how the film mirrors the real-world clashes of Nigeria's independence movement. We dive deep into the different paths taken toward revolution and nation-building—from indigenous rebellions and worker-led uprisings to missionary-informed resignation. We evaluate the movie as both a piece of art and a tool of political propaganda targeting societies trying to throw off the cloak of colonial power in the late 1950s. -What was the ultimate goal of the filmmakers? -Is the film a genius blend of liberal pacifism and anti-communist McCarthyism? -Was this movie actually a cautionary tale aimed directly at the Zikists and other radical anti-colonial activists (including Nkrumahists) ? If you want the answers—and want to hear Eartha Kitt speak Igbo—hit play to find out if this forgotten piece of cinema belongs on your watchlist.

    67. Anti-Communism in Enugu: Was Poitier's Film a Warning to Pan-Africanists? A Review of Mark of the Hawk 1957

  2. 17 Jul

    66. Feeding Bottle Billionaire Club (FBBC): Origins of Nigerian Oligarchs Episode One

    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!

    66. Feeding Bottle Billionaire Club (FBBC): Origins of Nigerian Oligarchs Episode One

  3. 4 Jul

    65. Assuming NDC is "Re-registered”

    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.

    65. Assuming NDC is "Re-registered”

  4. 11 Jun

    64. Insecurity, Protests and The Nigerian Left

    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

    64. Insecurity, Protests and The Nigerian Left

  5. 28 Feb

    63. OAU and Nigeria's Millennial Left

    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?

    63. OAU and Nigeria's Millennial Left

  6. 6 Feb

    62. State of the Nation: Nigeria in 2026

    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.

    62. State of the Nation: Nigeria in 2026

  7. 3 Jan

    61. Confessions of an Ex-APC Marxist

    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.

    61. Confessions of an Ex-APC Marxist

  8. 15/12/2025

    60. Oblee Economy: Class, Gender Wars, and the Case against Detty December ft. P0liticalbaby (@Mao_0k)

    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..

    60. Oblee Economy: Class, Gender Wars, and the Case against Detty December ft. P0liticalbaby (@Mao_0k)
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About

Can the talakawa sorosoke? The Nigerian Scam examines politics, history, and culture from class and ideological perspectives.

Information

  • Creator
    The Nigerian Scam
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    76
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Nigerian Scam
  • Show Website
    The Nigerian Scam

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