Professor Jonah Isawa Elaigwu 1948-2025
Professor Jonah Isawa Elaigwu, who passed on at the age of 77 on Tuesday July 22, 2025, played remarkable roles as an intellectual, and behind the scene in the corridors of power from the military era up to the current political dispensation. He grew his teeth in Political Science at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where […]
Professor Jonah Isawa Elaigwu, who passed on at the age of 77 on Tuesday July 22, 2025, played remarkable roles as an intellectual, and behind the scene in the corridors of power from the military era up to the current political dispensation. He grew his teeth in Political Science at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he studied for his Bachelor’s degree and served as a lecturer. But he became very famous for his roles as the pioneer Head of Department of Political Science at the University of Jos, and in establishing the Jos School of Political Science, a parallel of the Zaria School of Politics. The School of Thoughts attracted global intellectuals who examined and theorised on diverse contemporary issues in Political Economy, Development Studies, Public Administration, International Relations and Governance and Policy Studies.
Professor Elaigwu’s intellectual contributions to statecraft drew the attention of the military government beginning with the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida, who appointed him to various strategic roles. His academic background in Comparative Federalism, acquired at Stanford University, positioned him as a valuable thinker in the area of civil-military relations—especially during a period when military regimes sought legitimacy through effective nation-building.
During Babangida’s eight-year tenure, Elaigwu played influential behind-the-scenes roles. He served as a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee from 1986 to 1992, and was among the academics frequently engaged by the government—earning the informal label “Babangida Boys” due to their regular interactions with the regime.
In 1992, he was appointed Director-General of the now-defunct National Council on Intergovernmental Relations, a position he held until 1996. Following the return to civilian rule, Elaigwu continued to advise nearly every successive president and National Assembly leadership, many of whom had previously been his students or mentees.
As a way of putting into practice the outcome of his research endeavours, Professor Elaigwu was a consultant to federal, state and local governments across Nigeria. Apart from being on the board of presidential committees, he served on the board of several educational institutions. He provided policy guidance to even multilateral institutions like the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Centre for Development and Population Activities, the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements, the Department of International Development (DFID) and the British Council. No doubt, he cut an international image as his credibility endeared him to the political authority in Nigeria and abroad.
Though he was found in the corridors of power, Professor Elaigwu did not lose his focus on the critical appraisal of the activities of each administration in Nigeria. He is famous for writing the unauthorised biography of former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, titled “Gowon: The Biography of a Soldier-Statesman,” which explored the strengths and weaknesses of the nine-year tenure of Gowon. In it Elaigwu examined the ‘No Victor, No Vanquish’ doctrine that Gowon enacted after the three-year Nigerian Civil War, from the perspective of the challenges in realising the reconciliation and rehabilitation of the South East of the country.
In his book Between Ballot Box and Barracks in Africa: Prospects of Enduring Democracy in Nigeria, Professor Elaigwu strongly endorsed democratic governance over military rule, arguing that military regimes had exacerbated Nigeria’s challenges. His candid critique of the military era surprised many readers, especially given his longstanding presence within the corridors of power during successive military governments. The book reflects his ability to maintain intellectual integrity and independence, even while navigating the complexities of working closely with the military establishment.
When he passed on in July, 2025, tributes poured in, acknowledging his contributions to the country. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu mourned him by referring to Professor Elaigwu’s “patriotism, loyalty and dedication, which fuelled his passion for research, teaching and training over the course of five decades.” The Governor of Plateau State, Mr Caleb Mutfwang, recalled how, as a student he was inspired by the intellectual activities of the late professor, and as a way of honouring him, directed that a road construction project be extended to Elaigwu’s residence in Jos as a lasting tribute.
Professor Jonah Isawa Elaigwu was born on March 10, 1948 in Otukpo in Benue State. He attended Kings College, Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Stanford University, in the United States. He has left, as a legacy, the Institute of Governance and Social Research (IGSR), Jos, which his family has promised to nurture and grow in his memory. On October 10, 2025 there will be a night of tribute in honour of Professor Elaigwu. He will be buried on October 16, 2025 in his ancestral home in Otukpo, Benue State.