Nigeria is once again on the edge of widespread protests, with growing discontent among its citizens. Just three months after the disruptive #EndBadGovernance protests, another round of demonstrations is expected to take place in October, under the banner #FearlessInOctober. For a nation still grappling with the fallout from the previous protests, the possibility of renewed unrest is a dangerous prospect, particularly as the country remains mired in economic challenges and political instability.
The upcoming protest is being organized by the Take It Back Movement, with Damilare Adenola, the Director of Mobilization, confirming that it will carry forward the same demands as the previous protests. However, he noted that the demands would be amended to reflect the worsening state of the country. “As the country decays more,” Adenola said, the protestors will continue to push for changes, signaling that the frustration among the Nigerian populace has only deepened in recent months.
The previous protests, which took place from August 1 to 10, were aimed at highlighting the widespread hardship in the country. On the first day, many Nigerians were appreciative of the efforts made by the demonstrators to bring attention to their plight. However, the situation quickly spiraled out of control, as the protests turned violent. What began as peaceful demonstrations soon degenerated into looting, vandalism, and destruction of property, leading to the deaths of over 30 people and the arrest of more than 1,000 rioters by security forces.
The violent turn of events during the August protests serves as a stark warning of the potential dangers of renewed demonstrations in October. While the protesters have already made their point, it might be prudent for the organizers to take a pause and await the government’s response before pressing forward with fresh protests. Rushing into another round of demonstrations without giving the government sufficient time to address the demands could lead to further unrest and bloodshed.
At the heart of the protests is the widespread hunger and hardship being felt by millions of Nigerians. The economic situation in the country has deteriorated significantly, with the value of the naira plummeting and food and energy prices soaring. These factors, combined with incoherent monetary policies, have left many Nigerians struggling to make ends meet. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported in 2022 that 133 million people in Nigeria are multidimensionally poor, a figure that the World Bank estimates has risen by an additional seven million people in 2023. This sharp increase is attributed to the government’s removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of the naira exchange rates, both of which have contributed to the worsening economic conditions.
In the face of such adversity, it is clear that the government must take urgent action to alleviate the suffering of its citizens. Addressing the naira’s depreciation, implementing coherent economic policies, and reducing the cost of living must be top priorities for the administration. However, the demonstrators also have a responsibility to ensure that their protests are peaceful and constructive. While their demands are valid, resorting to violence and looting only undermines their cause and creates further instability. It is crucial that any future protests remain non-violent, and the government must also ensure that security forces act with professionalism and restraint to prevent a repeat of the chaos that unfolded in August.
The August protests were particularly pronounced in the northern region of Nigeria, where poverty and socio-economic challenges are most severe. The region saw a significant number of underage protesters taking to the streets, some of whom were seen waving Russian flags while looting shops and destroying property. In Kano, for example, the Nigerian Communications Commission Digital Innovation Centre was looted, with protesters carting away chairs, hardware, and equipment. Such scenes underscore the deep-rooted challenges facing the northern region, where around 65 percent of the nation’s poor—some 86 million people—reside. Furthermore, over 50 percent of the 20.2 million children aged five to 14 who are out of school in Nigeria also live in the North, creating a breeding ground for discontent and unrest.
To address these issues, northern governors must act swiftly to implement programmes that tackle the socio-economic challenges facing the region. Without such interventions, the cycle of poverty and unrest is likely to continue, fueling further protests and violence. The federal government must also play its part by creating and implementing policies that directly address the needs of the poor and marginalized, particularly in the North.
In the lead-up to the planned October protests, the government has a crucial window of opportunity to take meaningful action and prevent another round of demonstrations from taking place. By addressing the root causes of the protests—hunger, hardship, and economic mismanagement—the government can render the planned protests unnecessary. However, for this to happen, the administration must adopt a more empathetic and proactive approach to communication and policy-making.
The communication strategy employed by the Bola Tinubu administration during the August protests was widely criticized for being combative and reactive, rather than strategic and results-oriented. Blaming the opposition for a hunger protest was a poor communication strategy, especially when the government’s solutions seemed distant and hopeless. Moving forward, the government must focus on bridging the communication gap between itself and the people. Rather than blaming external forces, it should prioritize addressing the genuine concerns of its citizens and providing them with tangible solutions.
To this end, the government must implement massive sensitization programmes, particularly targeting underage and illiterate populations, to raise awareness about the country’s challenges and the steps being taken to address them. Effective communication is key to winning the trust of the people and preventing further unrest.
One of the major grievances of the protesters is the excessive cost of governance in Nigeria. Despite calls for austerity measures and reductions in government spending, the Tinubu administration has continued to operate in a manner that many view as extravagant. The recent unveiling of a new presidential jet and expensive SUVs has only fueled the anger of the protesters, giving them further ammunition to push for reforms. If the government is serious about addressing the concerns of the people, it must make a concerted effort to cut down on wasteful spending and focus on delivering meaningful economic relief to its citizens.
At this moment, Nigeria is at a critical juncture, with the threat of renewed protests looming large on the horizon. While the frustrations of the protesters are understandable, it is essential that any future demonstrations remain peaceful and focused on achieving constructive outcomes. At the same time, the government must act swiftly to address the root causes of the unrest—hunger, hardship, and economic mismanagement—before the situation spirals out of control. By adopting a more empathetic and proactive approach, both in terms of communication and policy-making, the government can prevent further protests and begin the process of healing the nation. The time for action is now, before the October protests push the country further into turmoil.
