Nigerian and foreign scholars, as well as students, gathered on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan (UI), to be refreshed about various democratic struggles that have culminated in the current strand of civil rule being practiced in Nigeria.
The programme, “Archives of Popular Struggle,” was An Exhibition of the Alternative History of Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement, in honour of late Emeritus Professor Biodun Jeyifo, the pioneer president of the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU).
The exhibition was put together by the Cornelius Adepegba Museum of African Art (CAMAA) in conjunction with the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-WEST AFRICA) and the Institute Français de Recherche en Afrique (IFRA-Nigeria).
Among the dignitaries in attendance are a Nigerian dramatist, Professor Femi Osofisan, Professor Francis Egbokhare of the Department of Linguistics and a former Director, UI Distance Learning Centre (DLC), Former Registrar and Chief Executive of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Professor Josiah Olusegun Ajiboye, Professor Ohioma Pogoson, Professor Sola Olorunyomi, IAS Director, and Director of IFRA, Dr. Pauline Guinard.
The materials exhibited include documents from Baba Omojola’s Archives: African Culture: Nihilism or Natural? by Dr M. E. Kolagbodi, Restructuring Nigeria: A Power-Sharing Constitution, c.1980s, The Socialist Guidelines for the Development of Nigeria, and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Press Release Solidarity with NANS c.1984; Ola Oni’s Archives: Comrade Ola Oni: One-Man Show, University of Ibadan, 1977, Nigeria: Not for Sale c. early 1980s, Workers’ Educational and Recreational Centre (WEDUREC) Workshop 1988, Ibadan, National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) Day of Sit-At-Home Protest Wednesday 6 July 1994, ASUU and the 1986 Education Crisis in Nigeria, Abacha Must Go- United Action for Democracy (UAD) c.1990, Hope ’93: M.K.O Abiola for President; Women Campaign Support Group, Free Gani! What is not Welcome is Compromise c. 1989, and Ideological Debates in the Struggle c. late 1980s.
Also, materials exhibited from Kehinde Oni’s Archive, including: Women in the National Assembly, 2003, The First Democratic Transition, Aluta Woman: Publication of National Association of Nigerian Female Students (NAnfs), Women of Nigeria in Unity with the labouring masses to end all forms of opposition c. 1980s, The Action Women of Nigeria (tawn) c. 1990s, Women in Nigeria (WIN) c. 1989, and Women Wake Up!! E’yin Obinrin, Eji Giri! The Action Women of Nigeria Sponsored by USIS and Women in Nigeria: Victory for Labour Democracy, Borno State, c. 1890s.
Other materials are: Women in the House of Representatives, All-Nigeria Socialist Conference, Student Union’s press release of OAU, Military has turned Nigerians to zombies, Sunday Vanguard, Who is Afraid of Patrick Wilmot, March 1988, Get them free now! Gani Fawehinmi Solidarity Association, Movement of the people, All Nigeria peace solidarity organisation, holds a symposium to mark the 70th birthday of Nelson Mandela, and wants a revolutionary flag for Nigeria.
The curator of the exhibition, Dr. Sa’eed Husaini, a Research Fellow at the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) and a political scientist, pointed out that popular organisations played a decisive role in Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle from 1966 until the return to civil rule in 1999.
Husaini explained that exhibited archives from different individuals who were committed to an egalitarian society through civil rule show that grassroots movements, unions, and civic actors shaped the country’s democratic journey.
According to him, the exhibition chronicles the period between 1966 and 1999, with particular attention to the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, which he described as the peak of pro-democracy resistance in Nigeria.
“The exhibition highlights the role of popular organisations in the pro-democracy struggle in Nigeria. This struggle commenced in 1966 and continued until democracy was restored in 1999,” he said.
Husaini noted that the exhibition is structured around several thematic areas reflecting the diversity and internal dynamics of the movement. These include local and international solidarity networks, ideological debates within pro-democracy groups, the role of women’s movements, student unions, and academic staff unions.
He added that two dedicated sessions examine the complex relationship between elections and the struggle for democratic governance.
“One session tells the story of elections and how they both galvanised and exposed contradictions within the movement. Elections inspired hope but also brought devastating setbacks,” he explained.
The final section of the exhibition, he said, focused on alternatives proposed by pro-democracy actors, demonstrating that the movements not only criticised existing systems but also advanced governance solutions.
Husaini identified organisation and accountability as key cross-cutting themes. He emphasised that, unlike contemporary perceptions of resistance as spontaneous or leaderless, historical movements prioritised structured and democratic leadership.
“In that period, the centrality of organisation was paramount. There was a strong emphasis on democratic leadership that could be challenged and replaced. These organisations were not authoritarian,” he said.
Reflecting on lessons from the exhibition, the researcher stressed that Nigeria’s democracy was achieved through sustained local struggle rather than external imposition.
“Democracy was our project. It was not imposed by outsiders, nor designed by those who eventually benefited from it. The people who led the struggle did not become its main beneficiaries,” he said.
He further observed growing skepticism among young people toward organised activism, attributing it to corruption in some civic groups, prolonged leadership tenures, and the rise of digital individualism.
However, he maintained that collective action remains essential for democratic advancement.
“This exhibition demonstrates that organised groups played a crucial role in the struggle for a better life and democratic governance. There are enduring lessons in collective struggle,” Husaini said.
Earlier, the chairman of the occasion, Professor Francis Egbokhare eulogized the personality of Jeyifo, whose exhibition was held in his honour.
He maintained that both Jeyifo and comrade Ola Oni maintained their dignity in the face of challenges.
According to him, there were no contradictions in the lifestyle and words of the duo, stressing that they were consistent in their lifestyle and what they professed. ‘They are exceptional Nigerians,” he added.
“The exhibition is a call to wake up and make Nigeria a better place for everyone”, he ended.
