The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has joined civil society organisations, labour activists, and pro-democracy movements across Nigeria in mourning the death of Comrade Biodun Aremu, fondly known as Aremson, describing him as a “builder of movements and defender of the people.”
In a statement signed by CAPPA’s Media and Communications Officer, Robert Egbe, the organisation said Aremu’s passing marks the end of an era in Nigeria’s radical and democratic movements. “His death is not just a loss to his family and comrades, but to every movement that believes in a fair and accountable society,” the statement read.
Aremu was a towering figure in Nigeria’s struggle for social justice, workers’ rights, and democracy. Known for his deep commitment to organising, he served as Secretary of the Joint Action Front (JAF), where he provided leadership and coordination that united workers, students, and communities in resistance to anti-people policies.
Under his watch, JAF became a rallying platform for voices of dissent and people’s power. CAPPA recalled that Aremu’s consistency and political clarity helped to shape the foundation of Nigeria’s popular movement, and his influence extended far beyond the streets and barricades.
“Comrade Aremu lived and breathed struggle,” CAPPA said. “He built alliances, strengthened movements, and created spaces for political education and people-centred action. His internationalism was evident in both thought and practice, guided by the belief that the fight for liberation in Nigeria is tied to the struggles of oppressed peoples everywhere.”
Aremu’s solidarity was not limited to labour and democracy struggles. He was a strong supporter of CAPPA’s campaigns for corporate accountability, public services, and democratic governance. He often insisted that governments and corporations must be held accountable, and that no private interest should profit at the expense of public welfare.
His commitment was also visible in the Our Water Our Right Africa Coalition (OWORAC), where he stood firmly with activists resisting water privatisation in Lagos and across the continent. CAPPA noted that Aremu “reminded us always that water is not a product to be sold but a right that belongs to every human being.”
Even in his later years, when his health declined, Comrade Aremu remained active in meetings, mentoring younger activists, and sharing strategic insights on movement building. Those who knew him say he carried an unshakable faith in the power of collective struggle and believed that no people are powerless once they realise their unity.
“His passing is a painful reminder of how much the Nigerian people owe to those who have devoted their lives to the fight for a better society,” CAPPA’s statement continued. “But as we mourn, we also take courage in knowing that his legacy will continue to inspire every campaign for accountability, public ownership, and people’s power.”
CAPPA extended condolences to his family, friends, and comrades, pledging to honour his memory through continued struggle. “We will keep fighting for the ideals that defined his life — a world where public goods remain public, where democracy serves the people, and where no one’s dignity is for sale,” the organisation said.
As tributes pour in from across Nigeria and beyond, one message stands clear: Comrade Biodun Aremu’s struggle lives on in those he inspired.
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