This article, derived from an extensive research report sponsored by the Ford Foundation — through a grant administered by the African Centre for Democratic Government, Nigeria — documents the deployment of traditional media — theatre, oratory, folk music — in the anti‐military struggle of 1988–99 in Nigeria. These resources were used successfully by civil society to engage the authoritarian state in this period, notwithstanding the state's use of them to bolster its hegemony. Most of the protest artists were persecuted, but maintained their position and thereby deepened social anger against the military.