Essays / The Pontifical Papers

ON BUDGETS, SYSTEMS, AND OTHER BOTHERS | by Ayo Sogunro

President Buhari gave a nice budget presentation speech earlier this month—and the National Assembly closed it off with an equally nice prayer. The least we can say is, we now know that the Nigerian economy is safe in the hands of divine guardians—if they are not still busy trying to resolve the more pressing situations in … Continue reading

Essays / The Pontifical Papers

ON STUPID LAWS AND CLEVER LEGISLATORS | by Ayo Sogunro

Nigeria’s National Assembly is the bastard of Nigerian democracy—and that’s putting it mildly. Now, “bastard” is a historically hateful word, and should not be applied to fellow humans. But, I have used it here to convey the intensity of the National Assembly’s disregard for both the wishes of the Nigerian people and the values of … Continue reading

Academic (Sort of) / Essays / The Pontifical Papers

NIGERIA: A NATION BOUND IN FREEDOM | by Ayo Sogunro

We’re bound in freedom, peace and unity But something’s fishy about that trinity. Why not let’s limit the lines to what we agree: We’re plain bound, to a more or less degree. PART ONE: WHO IS A NIGERIAN? 1914—LUGARD’S MISTAKE? Geo-politically, the Nigerian nationality is no different from other African states that emerged through a … Continue reading