Thousands of Nigerians have taken to the streets across the country to protest against the worsening economic conditions and the skyrocketing cost of living. In the northern city of Kano, the demonstrations turned chaotic as officers of the Nigerian Police Force fired teargas at hundreds of protesters. The unrest was part of a nationwide movement aimed at addressing the country’s economic hardships.
According to a BBC report, looters broke into a warehouse near the Kano state governor’s residence, making off with 25-liter kegs of vegetable oil, mattresses, and other relief materials. Additionally, Digital Economy Minister ‘Bosun Tijani announced on X (formerly Twitter) that a Digital Innovation Park set to launch next week had been looted by protesters. His post received backlash, with user @MissZarrah countering that the park had been inactive since 2020.
In the capital city, Abuja, police also fired teargas at peaceful demonstrators. A high court had previously ruled that protests should be confined to the National Stadium, located on the outskirts of the city center. However, after assembling at the designated venue, protesters defied the order and marched towards the city center, where they were met with force by the police.
The protests, branded “End Bad Governance in Nigeria,” are expected to continue daily for the first ten days of August. The movement draws inspiration from recent protests in Kenya, dubbed “seven days of rage,” where thousands marched against a proposed finance bill and were met with deadly force. It also follows recent anti-corruption protests in Uganda, where dozens of peaceful demonstrators were arrested.
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Demonstrations have been reported in various states including Lagos, Delta, Kano, and Plateau. The momentum of the protests is expected to grow as more citizens join in, driven by demands for better governance from Nigerian leaders. The protesters’ demands circulating on social media include reverting fuel prices to N190/liter, reversing recent electricity tariff hikes, increasing government accountability, and reducing the salaries of elected and appointed officials. There are also calls for the sale of the presidential yacht among other radical changes.
Despite the government’s appeals for citizens to abandon the protests, citing potential for hijacking by “bad elements,” many Nigerians remain determined. Information Minister Mohammed Idris emphasized that President Bola Tinubu does not see a need for the protests and urged citizens to await the government’s response to their pleas. Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, reiterated the call for dialogue, expressing concerns about violence similar to the #EndSARS protests.
Traditional and religious leaders have condemned the planned protests, yet the resolve of many Nigerians remains unshaken. For them, the stark contrast between the opulence of government officials and the economic struggles of ordinary citizens justifies prolonged agitation, akin to Kenya’s recent “days of rage.”
Reports of anti-protest demonstrations in Lagos and Abuja suggest some participants were incentivized with N5,000 (just over $3). Instances of media suppression have also surfaced, with a News Central TV reporter harassed by police at the Lekki Tollgate and allegations that government officials offered N50,000 ($31) to reporters for favorable coverage.
As the protests continue, the call for systemic change and accountability in Nigeria grows louder, reflecting the citizens’ frustration and desire for a better future.
