By Hassan A. Saliu
Professor Jonah Isawa Elaigwu, 77, was a consequential Political Scientist who brought colour and uniqueness to the teaching of Political Science in Nigeria and elsewhere.
He was educated at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and abroad, and began his teaching career at ABU upon completing a PhD at Stanford University in the United States in 1975.
He remained in the service of the university until he transitioned to the University of Jos as a senior academic and a pioneer member of staff. He was colourful, energetic, and full of humour, who could turn dull moments into lively occasions with his somewhat theatrical displays and style of delivery.
He was fond of moving around the halls/classrooms when delivering his lectures. Prof. Elaigwu was one of the much-sought-after Political Scientists in Nigeria and a wordsmith who had a unique way of passing across his messages. No doubt, a friend of the political class, but could be unsparing in his observations and interventions when occasions demanded it. As a mentor, he impacted many lives and created opportunities for younger colleagues to grow and develop in academia.
Profs. Alli, Egwu, this writer, and others too numerous to mention on this occasion are his mentees. I recall the role he played when I was invited for an interview at the National War College in Abuja (now the Defence College).
He was a member of the interview panel who drilled me for an appointment as a Senior Research Fellow at the College in 1998. He did one thing on that day that made me happy. He publicly acknowledged my level of academic productivity when he turned to the late Prof. Tamuno, who was the Chairman of the panel, by posing a question that bordered on comparing my level of productivity with his at the same stage of his career.
The Chairman, of course, answered in the negative. That was Prof. Elaigwu for all of us. He was forthright and accorded recognition to those who deserved it. Prof. Elaigwu had the rare opportunity to blend theory with the practice of politics, judging by his level of involvement in governance, which spanned many regimes, both civil and military, but was more pronounced during the military regimes.
A crusader for democratic rule, despite his misgivings about the shape of democracy in Nigeria, he felt that Nigeria should still follow the democratic path. A significant voice in the field of comparative politics, his books on federalism and other topics will remain valuable resources for future generations to treasure. As the pioneer and only Director-General of the defunct Council for Intergovernmental Relations, the Council produced numerous books during its brief existence. Upon retirement from service, he became a full-time consultant and focused on his research centre, the Institute for Governance and Social Research, which he founded in 1994 and based in Jos.
In 2019 at Calabar, he was bestowed the fellowship of the NPSA under the presidency of Prof. A. M. Okolie. He was one of the esteemed elders of our Association (NPSA) and a committed member who, due to ill health, was unable to participate in many of our recent activities and programs, for which he apologised.
Undoubtedly, he was appreciative of the modest efforts made by the current EXCO of the NPSA at reposting the Association. I was not surprised when told that the NPSA President was number one on the list he prepared of persons/groups to be informed of his death after he might have passed on. He was a straight shooter who called a spade a spade, without trying to disguise it by any other name. He demonstrated this in his last communication with me regarding the death of Prof. Tyoden.
He had said in his words that: (your tribute)…” is well written…Proud of you…” as the President of the NPSA and invariably the entire executive committee. Prof. Elaigwu will be remembered for his contributions to our discipline and the nation at large. His contribution to nation-building was recognised by the late President Buhari on the occasion of Prof. Elaigwu’s birthday some years back.
His impact on the political science community is evident in the numerous books he authored and the number of his mentees. On behalf of the EXCO of our esteemed Association, the NPSA, I extend my condolences to his family on his passing. May his soul rest in peace, and may God give his family the fortitude to bear the loss of a breadwinner. Amen.
Hassan A. Saliu is the President of NPSA and writes from Ilorin on 22nd July, 2025
