Edwin Madunagu Turns 80: A Pillar of Nigerian Activism

Edwin Madunagu, born on May 15, 1946, celebrated his 80th birthday, marking nearly six decades of activism in Nigeria. He is recognized as a significant figure in Nigeria's intellectual and political history, known for his roles as a mathematician, journalist, and Marxist thinker.

Madunagu has been a steadfast advocate for social justice, equity, and popular democracy, often standing firm against military dictatorship and neoliberal policies that threaten the poor. He was instrumental in the formation of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which emerged as a movement committed to defending public education in Nigeria.

Throughout his career, he has collaborated with fellow intellectuals and activists, including Biodun Jeyifo, Eskor Toyo, Uzodinma Nwala, and Dipo Fasina, to shape the ideological foundation of progressive political labor in Nigeria. Despite personal losses, including the passing of his wife, Bene Madunagu, and close friend Jeyifo, Edwin Madunagu continues to inspire younger generations of activists with his warmth, humor, and commitment to social transformation.