Disaffected Nigerian

Episódios

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  Coups are Dangerous for Africa 23.09.2026 7min

  Why does Africa keep going back to military rule?From Mali and Guinea to Burkina Faso, Niger, Sudan and Gabon, Africa has experienced a resurgence of military coups in recent years. But are coups really the solution to corruption, bad governance and economic stagnation?In this video essay, I examine the relationship between military coups, corruption, economic growth and political instability in Africa. Drawing on recent research by Seydou Ouattara, I explore what happens to institutions when military governments seize power, why coups can become self-perpetuating, and why the promise of a “benevolent dictator” often fails to deliver the transformation people hope for.I also look at countries such as Botswana, Mauritius, Ghana, Senegal, Kenya, Namibia and South Africa, which have avoided successful coups since 1990, and ask what their experience can tell us about institutional continuity and political stability.This is not an argument that African democracies are functioning perfectly. Far from it. Corruption, electoral manipulation, weak institutions and poor governance are real problems. But if democracy is dysfunctional, should the answer really be to dismantle the institutions that make political correction possible?The question is not simply democracy versus military rule. It is whether Africa can build institutions capable of correcting its political failures without repeatedly resorting to coups.Check out my magazine: https://disaffected.ng/Spotify and other podcasts: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/olayemi-olaniyiFollow me on my socials:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dukelukepoetry/Twitter: https://twitter.com/LukeOlaniyiDiscord: https://discord.gg/ChCBdnRP
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  The World Is Better Than You Think | Factfulness by Hans Rosling 17.09.2026 8min

  Are we living in the best time in human history? It certainly doesn’t feel that way when we look at the news. Wars, poverty, unemployment, pandemics, crime, climate change and political crises dominate our attention. But what happens when we look beyond the headlines and examine the data?In this video essay, I explore Hans Rosling’s Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World—and Why Things Are Better Than You Think and its argument that our perception of the world is often much more negative than reality. From the Gap Instinct and Negativity Instinct to the Fear, Size, Generalisation and Urgency Instincts, Rosling explains why even educated people can have a surprisingly inaccurate understanding of global progress.We look at the decline in extreme poverty, rising life expectancy, improvements in education and healthcare, and the broader story of human progress. We also examine why bad news receives so much attention and whether recognising progress means we should become less concerned about the problems that still exist.The world is far from perfect. But perhaps the world we see in the headlines is not the whole world.Check out my magazine: https://disaffected.ng/Spotify and other podcasts: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/olayemi-olaniyiFollow me on my socials:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dukelukepoetry/Twitter: https://twitter.com/LukeOlaniyiDiscord: https://discord.gg/ChCBdnRP
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  The Truth About African Counter-Elites 29.08.2026 9min

  What do Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela, Fela Kuti, and Jomo Kenyatta have in common? We often remember historical figures as heroes, freedom fighters, and liberators, but there may be another way to understand them: as counter-elites. Drawing on Peter Turchin’s ideas in End Times, this video explores how political and ideological movements are often led not by the masses themselves but by educated, well-connected, wealthy, or otherwise privileged individuals who mobilise popular discontent against the establishment. From the French and Bolshevik Revolutions to African independence movements, we examine the role of privilege, education, power, and ambition in producing revolutionary leaders—and ask what happens when yesterday’s counter-elites overthrow the establishment and become tomorrow’s ruling elites.Check out my magazine: https://disaffected.ng/Follow me on:X: https://x.com/LukeOlaniyiTikTok: tok.com/@dukeluke_ngIG: https://www.instagram.com/dukeluke_ng/Email: [email protected]
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  The Paradox of Elite Overproduction and Elite Underproduction in Africa 18.08.2026 10min

  I recently gave a presentation at the Zanzalu Vanguard Residency titled The Paradox of Elite Overproduction and Elite Underproduction in Africa. It was inspired by Peter Turchin's book End Times: Elites, Counter-Elites, and the Path of Political Disintegration. Enjoy the video essay version of the presentation. Follow me on:X: https://x.com/LukeOlaniyiTikTok: iktok.com/@dukeluke_ngInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dukeluke_ng/Check out my magazine: https://disaffected.ng/
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  On the Decline of Hollywood | Michael Sonnenschein 08.08.2026 40min

  This is a chat with Hollywood screenwriter and television writer Michael Sonnenschein. We talked about the decline of Hollywood blockbusters, how declining attention span is affecting cinema culture, the Avatar paradox, superhero fatigue, and which movie industry could step up if the decline continues. Check out my magazine: https://disaffected.ng/Spotify and other podcasts: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/olayemi-olaniyiFollow me on my socials:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dukelukepoetry/Twitter: https://twitter.com/LukeOlaniyiQuora: https://www.quora.com/profile/Olayemi-OlaniyiDiscord: https://discord.gg/ChCBdnRP
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  Despite the Headlines, the World is More Peaceful than You Think 20.07.2026 11min

  We are constantly fed negative news in the media and on social media. Because of this amplification, a lot of us naturally think that life has never been worse. In The Better Angels of Our Nature, Steven Pinker makes a compelling point about the historical decline of violence. He cites evidence from archaeology, literature, psychology, and political science to make a convincing argument.Here are my socials:X: https://x.com/LukeOlaniyiTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dukeluke_ngIG: https://www.instagram.com/dukeluke_ng/Check out my magazine: https://disaffected.ng/
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  The Problem with Resource Nationalism in Africa 01.07.2026 7min

  A significant part of the Pan-African discourse is resource nationalism, the idea that African countries should control their natural resources instead of multinationals. However, this idea is not as easy as many make it seem. Niger has towed this path but it hasn’t turned out great. Find me on:X: https://x.com/LukeOlaniyiTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dukeluke_ngInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dukeluke_ng/Check out my magazine: https://disaffected.ng/
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  Men are Human Too #Men'sHealthMonth 24.06.2026 5min

  It's Men's Health Month. A friend challenged me on why I've yet to make a video to lend my voice to the struggles men go through today, since, by my own admission, men don't speak up enough. To be clear, this is not an attempt to downplay the issues women face. My goal is to bring some balance to the heavily lopsided discourse on masculinity that essentializes men as inherently evil. Men get the short end of the stick in many ways. This is reductive and unfair to them. In this video, I talked about male disposability, the gamma bias, and the apex fallacy. I argued that these are some of the ideas and biases that influence mainstream discourse on masculinity.
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  How Funerals Keep Africa Poor 16.06.2026 7min

  In this video, I react to an essay by David Oks titled How Funerals Keep Africa Poor. According to the writer, extravagant funerals are common in Sub-Saharan African countries like Ghana, Nigeria, DR Congo, Cameroon, etc. He argues that these expensive funerals are not done just because of reverence for elders. He says they are a symptom of kinship obligations. And because African cultures, for the most part, are collectivist, it's hard for individuals to accumulate wealth. Find me on:X: https://x.com/LukeOlaniyiInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dukeluke_ng/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dukeluke_ngCheck out my magazine: https://disaffected.ng/
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  Why Democracy does not Lead to Prosperity 09.06.2026 5min

  The claim that democracy leads to prosperity is a widely held view. But how true is this? In this video, I react to an article where the author claims that the adoption of mass democracy without the right conditions often leads to regression, not progress. Follow me on my socials:X: https://x.com/LukeOlaniyiTikTok: ktok.com/@dukeluke_ngInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dukeluke_ng/Check out my magazine: https://disaffected.ng/
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  Adams Oshiomole is Wrong About Nationalising MTN 12.05.2026 5min

  Adams Oshiomole is wrong for calling for the nationalisation of MTN. His heated exchange on Arise News shows his ideology has a Marxist bent. Nationalisation has never worked. Follow me on my social:X: https://x.com/LukeOlaniyiTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dukeluke_ngInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dukeluke_ng/Check out my magazine: https://disaffected.ng/
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  On Xenophobia in South Africa and Ghana 04.05.2026 5min

  There are two xenophobic protests unfolding in Africa, one in South Africa and the other in Ghana. The South African version has been directed at black immigrants, and so far, two Nigerians in South Africa have been reported dead. We've seen videos of mobs attacking the homes and businesses of black immigrants. The pretext for these xenophobic attacks is that immigrants, especially illegal immigrants, are taking their jobs and they commit a disproportionate amount of crime. Reports indicate there's no statistical link between international migration and crime in South Africa, with immigrants making up a small percentage of convicted cases.
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  The Hobbesian Republic of Nigeria (on Crime and Punishment) 25.04.2026 4min

  Criminal networks are targeting Nigeria's telecom infrastructure, using towers as open-air warehouses for theft. This is symptomatic of the failure of the government to arrest and convict criminals - a fundamental duty for forming a government. With the high rate of crime and insecurity, we can fittingly call our country the Hobbesian Republic of Nigeria. Follow me on my socials:X: https://x.com/LukeOlaniyiTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dukeluke_ngInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dukeluke_ng/Check out my magazine: https://disaffected.ng/Email: [email protected]
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  Why Freedom Fighters Don't Make Great Leaders | The Nelson Mandela Example 17.04.2026 4min

  Freedom fighters don’t often make great leaders. This contradiction is exemplified by Nelson Mandela. By a long stretch, Mandela is the best African leader in modern history, largely because of the symbolism of his legacy. Yet, he wasn’t as great a leader when he became president. Activists and freedom fighters don’t often make great leaders. Follow me on my socials:X: https://x.com/LukeOlaniyiTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dukeluke_ng/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dukeluke_ng/Check out my magazine: https://disaffected.ng/
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  The Problem of Intellectual Loneliness 15.04.2026 4min

  If you're an intelligent person in a place like Nigeria, you might experience significant loneliness due to social isolation. This video explores the challenges of finding like-minded individuals for deep conversations spanning existential thoughts and life philosophy. Everyone needs companionship, even nerds and intellectuals. This was evidenced in the 1700s during the Age of Enlightenment. Intellectuals in Europe and the Americas exchanged ideas through correspondence. This tradition has been called the Republic of Letters. Also, from the late 19th century to the 20th century, intellectuals in Vienna, Austria, frequently met in coffeehouses to have debates. These examples show that intellectuals need to collectivise. Follow me on my socials:X: https://x.com/LukeOlaniyiTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dukeluke_ngInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dukeluke_ng/Check out my magazine: https://disaffected.ng/
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  Why We Need Billionaires Like Aliko Dangote 07.04.2026 4min

  Billionaires don't get much admiration today because of increasing wealth disparity. Phrases like "eat the rich" and "tax the rich" are popular. Many advocate for billionaires to be heavily taxed. Some even want the government to expropriate their wealth. While it is true that billionaires sometimes take advantage of the system, the role they play in the economy is very critical. We cannot afford to "eat the rich" because we actually need them. Follow me on:X: https://x.com/LukeOlaniyiTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dukeluke_ng/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dukeluke_ng/
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  Does Nigeria have a Debt Crisis? 03.04.2026 2min

  Recently, President Tinubu wrote to the Senate to apply for a $6 billion loan. The application was approved. This has increased Nigeria's debt burden to N155 trillion. Follow me on my socials: X: https://x.com/LukeOlaniyiTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dukeluke_ng/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dukeluke_ng/Check out my magazine: https://disaffected.ng/
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  How Decolonisation is Holding African Intellectualism Back 28.06.2025 10min

  For more than 60 years, decolonisation continues to hold sway in African scholarship. I argue here that the unintended consequence of this is that it has stunted Africa's growth in other fields of intellectual endeavour. You can find me on X: https://x.com/LukeOlaniyiCheck out my magazine: https://disaffected.ng/Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DisaffectedNigerian/videos
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  Top Expert Reveals the Origin of Boko Haram | With Dr Danjibo 12.03.2025 46min

  I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Danjibo, an Associate Professor at the Department of Peace, Security and Humanitarian Studies, University of Ibadan on the evolution of Boko Haram in Nigeria.
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  A Chat with the Founder of Utiva | Eyitayo Ogunmola 07.05.2024 50min

  I had a chat with Eyitayo Ogumola, the CEO of Utiva, one of the biggest e-learning platforms in the country. We talked about everything from how he started the company to AI to the Japa zeitgeist. Check out the Disaffected Magazine: https://disaffected.ng/ Follow me on X: https://twitter.com/LukeOlaniyi