Lament for a nation

On 1st October 2021, social media was awash with several congratulatory posts and celebratory commentaries on the ocassion of Nigeria’s independence. In this “democratic” virtual space, one can sympathise with the message of optimism- including reflective messages from citizens who have summoned us to hope in the midst of one of the darkest phases in…

The social psychology of racism

I remember attending a workshop 16 years ago in Nottingham. The event was organised, as I recall, by the Nottingham City Council to encourage more “black” people to get into teaching. That was in recognition of the significant under-representation of African and Caribbean teaching staff in the school system. So they got this guy as…

Scapegoating China won’t do any good

I recently came across an opinion piece by former Nigeria’s education minister Obiagel Ezekwesili arguing that China must pay reparations to African countries as a compensation for Coronavirus pandemic. She stated, among others, that “China should immediately announce a complete write-off of the more than $140 billion that its government, banks and contractors extended to countries…