The Barons

This political drama reflects on the long period of military rule in Nigeria, which officially began with the end of Shagari’s regime in 1983 and ended with the ascent of Obansanjo in 1999. It gives a satirical account of the clandestine machinations employed behind the scenes by a very powerful group of individuals – the barons, who are mostly from the north of Nigeria, to capture political power, and exert influence over the traditional socio-economic and political institutions. The play aims to inform and to entertain – to record the events as accurately as possible in a comic manner; and is lent a strong flavour of contemporary politics as real historical events and figures are represented.