https://www.labodeobanor.com Official RSS feed of Dr. LaBode E. Obanor — public policy analyst, governance commentator, and social justice advocate. Published articles on Nigerian governance, diaspora affairs, American democracy, economic justice, and global politics. en © 2026 Dr. LaBode E. Obanor. All rights reserved. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/nigeria-diaspora-atm-passport-toronto-conference https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/nigeria-diaspora-atm-passport-toronto-conference Four years after warning that Nigeria wants diaspora money without diaspora votes, LaBode Obanor revisits the argument as Abuja sends a delegation to court investment dollars in Toronto. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Sat, 09 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT Diaspora Affairs Electoral Reform Governance https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/transforming-nigeria-through-civic-education-youth-empowerment https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/transforming-nigeria-through-civic-education-youth-empowerment Featured in THISDAY Live — Dr. Obanor spoke on civic education, youth empowerment, and the LSJ's national mission. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Tue, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Civic Education Youth Empowerment https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/backing-varsities-push-for-justice-civic-responsibility https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/backing-varsities-push-for-justice-civic-responsibility The League for Social Justice is urging Nigerian universities to move beyond awarding degrees and deliberately prepare students for ethical leadership, civic responsibility and national renewal. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT Education Social Justice https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/still-on-the-new-tax-laws https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/still-on-the-new-tax-laws Nigeria may need more tax revenue, but LaBode Obanor argues that citizens will resist higher demands until government can clearly show what existing revenues have delivered. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Thu, 22 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT Tax Justice Governance https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/america-lectured-africa-about-strongmen-trump-irs-settlement-anti-weaponization-fund https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/america-lectured-africa-about-strongmen-trump-irs-settlement-anti-weaponization-fund LaBode Obanor examines how concerns over Trump's IRS settlement and a taxpayer-funded Anti-Weaponization Fund are forcing uncomfortable comparisons with patronage and institutional capture in Africa. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT United States Politics Global Politics https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/an-appeal-to-president-bola-tinubu https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/an-appeal-to-president-bola-tinubu Drawing on Nigeria's history of pardons and amnesty programmes, LaBode Obanor appeals to President Bola Tinubu to pursue reconciliation and dialogue over prolonged escalation. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Thu, 04 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT National Reconciliation Governance https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/addressing-the-insecurity-challenge https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/addressing-the-insecurity-challenge A League for Social Justice report documents a grave pattern of killings, abductions, displacement and attacks on Nigerian communities, prompting calls for urgent national action. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Thu, 27 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT National Security Human Rights https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/assault-re-arrest-omoyele-sowore-kuje-court-rule-of-law https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/assault-re-arrest-omoyele-sowore-kuje-court-rule-of-law The League for Social Justice condemns the reported assault and re-arrest of Omoyele Sowore outside Kuje Magistrate Court after he and other protesters had been granted bail. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT Civil Liberties Rule of Law https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/from-knowledge-to-justice-reclaiming-the-humanities-in-africas-tech-driven-future https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/from-knowledge-to-justice-reclaiming-the-humanities-in-africas-tech-driven-future Dr. LaBode Obanor's UNILAG keynote examines how the humanities, ethics, justice and youth creativity must guide Africa's technological transformation. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Tue, 28 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT Keynote Addresses Humanities https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/unilag-faculty-of-arts-at-60-rekindling-the-soul-of-education-and-society-through-the-humanities https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/unilag-faculty-of-arts-at-60-rekindling-the-soul-of-education-and-society-through-the-humanities At the UNILAG Faculty of Arts' 60th anniversary, Dr. LaBode Obanor called for the Humanities to remain the moral compass guiding technology, education and social progress in Africa. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT Keynote Addresses Humanities https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/dss-vs-sowore-when-national-security-becomes-a-mask-for-censorship https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/dss-vs-sowore-when-national-security-becomes-a-mask-for-censorship LaBode Obanor examines the DSS response to Omoyele Sowore's social-media post and argues that harsh criticism of public officials is protected expression, not terrorism. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Mon, 08 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT Civil Liberties Freedom of Expression https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/silencing-the-messenger-kebbi-state-war-on-truth-and-democracy https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/silencing-the-messenger-kebbi-state-war-on-truth-and-democracy LaBode Obanor examines the reported arrest of journalist Hassan Mai-Waya Kangiwa after his video exposed degrading conditions at Kangiwa General Hospital. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT Press Freedom Human Rights https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/state-neglect-is-murder-lagos-ibadan-expressway-is-the-weapon https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/state-neglect-is-murder-lagos-ibadan-expressway-is-the-weapon After witnessing another devastating crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, LaBode Obanor challenges the government's failure to prevent recurring and avoidable deaths. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Wed, 23 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT Public Infrastructure Governance https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/trumps-tariff-tantrum-liberation-day-or-recession-palooza https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/trumps-tariff-tantrum-liberation-day-or-recession-palooza LaBode Obanor challenges Donald Trump's Liberation Day tariff programme and examines its possible consequences for consumers, trade, markets and the global economy. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Thu, 10 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT Global Economy United States Politics https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/we-will-reclaim-nigeria-by-ballot-or-consciousness-awakening https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/we-will-reclaim-nigeria-by-ballot-or-consciousness-awakening LaBode Obanor presents a forceful diaspora position on Nigeria's insecurity, economic hardship and democratic decline, demanding voting rights, constitutional reform and meaningful political inclusion. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Thu, 08 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT Diaspora Affairs Democratic Reform https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/the-7th-zone-constitutional-inclusion-electoral-justice-and-the-diasporas-role-in-rebuilding-nigerian-democracy https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/the-7th-zone-constitutional-inclusion-electoral-justice-and-the-diasporas-role-in-rebuilding-nigerian-democracy Dr. LaBode Obanor calls for the Nigerian diaspora to be recognised as a seventh geopolitical zone, granted voting rights, represented in the National Assembly, and integrated into national leadership. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Wed, 11 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT Diaspora Affairs Constitutional Reform https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/france-rejected-by-francophone-africa-turns-exploitative-gaze-toward-nigeria https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/france-rejected-by-francophone-africa-turns-exploitative-gaze-toward-nigeria As French influence declines across parts of Francophone Africa, LaBode Obanor questions France's growing interest in Nigeria and calls for vigilance, sovereignty and self-reliance. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Mon, 09 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT African Geopolitics Foreign Policy https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/nigerias-escalating-debt-crisis-fiscal-policy-and-economic-injustice https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/nigerias-escalating-debt-crisis-fiscal-policy-and-economic-injustice LaBode Obanor argues that Nigeria's growing dependence on external borrowing is draining resources from healthcare, education, infrastructure and programmes serving vulnerable citizens. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Fri, 22 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMT Fiscal Justice Economic Justice https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/are-immigrants-poisoning-the-blood-of-america https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/are-immigrants-poisoning-the-blood-of-america LaBode Obanor challenges claims that immigrants threaten America, tracing the country's migration history and examining how xenophobia, political rhetoric and cognitive dissonance distort public debate. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Thu, 17 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT Immigration Social Justice https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/is-israel-truly-a-us-ally-the-evidence-says-no https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/is-israel-truly-a-us-ally-the-evidence-says-no LaBode Obanor examines the military, economic and diplomatic relationship between the United States and Israel and questions whether the partnership provides genuine strategic reciprocity. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Mon, 07 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT Global Politics Foreign Policy https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/why-im-certain-the-naira-will-crash-again-labode-obanor https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/why-im-certain-the-naira-will-crash-again-labode-obanor The Naira has stabilized between ₦1,600 and ₦1,700 to the dollar — but Dr. Obanor argues the calm is deceptive. Four persistent structural vulnerabilities remain. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Sat, 26 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT Economic Justice Nigerian Economy https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/why-nigerians-should-worry-about-a-second-trump-presidency https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/why-nigerians-should-worry-about-a-second-trump-presidency Trump's mass deportation agenda and "America First" trade policy directly threaten the $20 billion in annual remittances that sustain millions of Nigerian families. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Sat, 02 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMT United States Politics Diaspora Affairs https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/justice-for-the-hungry-open-letter-to-the-president-of-nigeria https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/justice-for-the-hungry-open-letter-to-the-president-of-nigeria The League for Social Justice calls on President Bola Tinubu to make hunger and food insecurity a national priority through emergency assistance, agricultural reform and accountable social protection. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Sun, 29 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT Food Security Social Justice https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/league-for-social-justice-statement-on-the-ibom-air-incident-safety-must-not-come-at-the-expense-of-rights https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/league-for-social-justice-statement-on-the-ibom-air-incident-safety-must-not-come-at-the-expense-of-rights LSJ calls for a lawful response to the Ibom Air incident, proposing a regulated No-Fly List, privacy protections, proportional sanctions and stronger evidence-handling standards. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Dr. LaBode E. Obanor) Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT Civil Liberties Aviation Safety https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/selective-justice-at-the-un-how-the-us-rewrites-the-rules-of-accountability https://www.labodeobanor.com/articles/selective-justice-at-the-un-how-the-us-rewrites-the-rules-of-accountability Elvis Obanor examines the United States' opposition to a UN resolution concerning the transatlantic slave trade and challenges selective approaches to historical accountability. Jlabode74@gmail.com (Elvis Obanor) Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT International Relations Human Rights