Generations of African intellectuals and their discourses during the post-colonial development of African social sciences are introduced and summarised in retrospective. The positioning of these academics vis-à-vis the state authority, their role in nation building and democratisation are reflected. It is concluded that African intellectuals today are freer than ever since the independence of their countries. But state and society still have to realise that intellectuals offer an useful emancipatory force contributing towards further development.
