Archives of the Nigerian Left

A network of archives of radical thought, politics and movements. Kehinde & Ola Oni Archives | Yusufu Bala Usman Archives | Baba Omojola Archives | SOLAR | NSA

[*Beebah* @Abbeybiba]

In this micro-doc, I profile two Nigerian feminists — Bene Madunagu and Kehinde Ola-Oni — whose work helped build the intellectual and political infrastructure of modern Nigerian feminism.

Produced for @9jaLeftArchives s by myself in collaboration with @OutHaus_Co

[Archives of the Nigerian Left @9jaLeftArchives]

Kano State under the People’s Redemption Party (1981):

“For the past two years, secondary school enrolment has been increasing at the rate of 100% every year. When we took over, there were 5,100 students enrolled in our secondary schools. The figure has now been tripled: 14,772”

[Archives of the Nigerian Left @9jaLeftArchives]

“…farmers all over the state were disposessed of their land by wealthy absentee landlords. This had created a class of landless peasants, who kept pouring into the urban areas seeking menial jobs to keep body & soul together. This situation is unacceptable to us as a government”

[Archives of the Nigerian Left @9jaLeftArchives]

(From the Yusufu Bala Usman archives)

[Archives of the Nigerian Left @9jaLeftArchives]

“…farmers all over the state were disposessed of their land by wealthy absentee landlords. This had created a class of landless peasants, who kept pouring into the urban areas seeking menial jobs to keep body & soul together. This situation is unacceptable to us as a government”

[Archives of the Nigerian Left @9jaLeftArchives]

(Document from the Yusufu Bala Usman Archives)

[Archives of the Nigerian Left @9jaLeftArchives]

“…the various contradictions on the basis of which the Apartheid system is operated are sharpening and becoming more acute, with the inevitable consequence that the entire racist edifice is slowly, but surely, tottering to its very foundations.”

— Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa, 1987

[Archives of the Nigerian Left @9jaLeftArchives]

Youths United in Solidarity for Southern Africa (YUSSA) was formed by Nigerian University students in the aftermath of the 1976 Soweto Uprising in which the apartheid government of South Africa opened fire on protesting school children killing hundreds and injuring thousands.

[Archives of the Nigerian Left @9jaLeftArchives]

The Nigeria-ANC Friendship and Cultural Association was an anti-apartheid organisation that convened anti-apartheid demonstrations, hosted ANC leaders, and lobbied the Nigerian government for a firmer stance against the apartheid regime.

(from the Socialist Library and Archives)

[Archives of the Nigerian Left @9jaLeftArchives]

ALL NIGERIA PEACE AND SOLIDARITY ORGANISATION SAYS:

• SALUTE TO COURAGE

• Mobilize support for Mandela’s release.

• Blacklist all companies having connections with racist South Africa

Dec-Jan 1986 edition of New Horizon Magazine

(from the Socialist Library and Archives)

[Archives of the Nigerian Left @9jaLeftArchives]

Yesterday, friends and well wishers converged in Calabar to commemorate the birthday of comrade Edwin Madunagu.

Happy 80th birthday, comrade Eddie! Your contribution to the Nigerian liberation struggle continues to inspire us with the hope of a pan-Africanist socialist future.

[Archives of the Nigerian Left @9jaLeftArchives]

The Socialist Library and Archives invites you to a public lecture and exhibition commemorating the 80th birthday of Marxist luminary, Eddie Madunagu.

Theme: Radical Thought & Praxis in Nigeria
Venue: ASUU Secretariat, University of Calabar
Date: 15th May 2026
Time: 3pm-6pm WAT

[Archives of the Nigerian Left @9jaLeftArchives]

Thank you for showing up to engage with Nigeria’s marginalised history. It is our mission at Archives of The Nigerian Left to put Nigeria’s historical past at the service of the Nigerian people, & to make it a tool for recalibrating our efforts to achieve an egalitarian society.

[Archives of the Nigerian Left @9jaLeftArchives]

Our travel exhibition has reached Plateau State! You are cordially invited to the opening of our exhibition in Jos.

Come explore the archives of Nigeria’s struggle for genuine democracy. Entry is free!

Venue: Claycity Restaurant, Jos Museum
Date: Thurs 14th May 2026
Time: 12PM

[Archives of the Nigerian Left @9jaLeftArchives]

Our travel exhibition has reached Plateau State! You are cordially invited to the opening of our exhibition in Jos.

Come explore the archives of Nigeria’s struggle for genuine democracy. Entry is free!

Venue: Claycity Restaurant, Jos Museum
Date: Thurs 14th May 2026
Time: 12PM

[Archives of the Nigerian Left @9jaLeftArchives]

The Socialist Library and Archives invites you to a public lecture and exhibition commemorating the 80th birthday of Marxist luminary, Eddie Madunagu.

Theme: Radical Thought & Praxis in Nigeria
Venue: ASUU Secretariat, University of Calabar
Date: 15th May 2026
Time: 3pm-6pm WAT

[Archives of the Nigerian Left @9jaLeftArchives]

In 1999, The OODUA LIBERATION MOVEMENT denounced DAAR Comms’ BBC Hausa radio program, issuing a 2-week ultimatum at the end of which it “shall not hesitate to call the God of Oduduwa to deal with you appropriately & put an end to the broadcast.”

(from the Baba Omojola Archives)

[Archives of the Nigerian Left @9jaLeftArchives]

(Poster from the Yusufu Bala Usman Archive)

[Archives of the Nigerian Left @9jaLeftArchives]

“Four years ago we put our hope in you. But you dashed our hope!
Now you are just begining to "see hope”, when we have lost hope in you.
We cannot afford to squander another four years on TALK.... TALK..... TALK!
No! We cannot!”

2003 opposition presidential campaign poster (MDJ)

[Archives of the Nigerian Left @9jaLeftArchives]

“….nearly all the 19 state governments of the federation in the 2nd Republic had problems paying teachers[…] by the time former President Shehu Shagari started his campaign for re-election in Gboko in 1983, the Benue State govt had not paid its teachers for upward of 8months.”

[Archives of the Nigerian Left @9jaLeftArchives]

A PEOPLE IN DESPAIR

“Nigerians lose faith in themselves as well as in the future of the country.”

THE AFRICAN GUARDIAN JUNE 13 1988

(Material from the Yusufu Bala Usman Archive)

[Archives of the Nigerian Left @9jaLeftArchives]

A PEOPLE IN DESPAIR

“Nigerians lose faith in themselves as well as in the future of the country.”

THE AFRICAN GUARDIAN JUNE 13 1988

(Material from the Yusufu Bala Usman Archive)

[Archives of the Nigerian Left @9jaLeftArchives]

This edition of The Analyst is available at the Yusufu Bala Usman Archives, which houses a collection of back copies of the magazine.

[Archives of the Nigerian Left @9jaLeftArchives]

“Anyone with even the slightest familiarity with […] the 2nd Republic must wonder, & worry, that today the Shagaris, the Ekwuemes, the Ciromas, the Bello Maitamas, the Dosunmus, […] who presided over the wrecking of our economy at the centre are walking our streets as free men”