Hundreds of protesters have gathered in central Nigeria days before planned national demonstrations over economic hardship and record inflation. The protesters, many of them young people, converged in the town of Suleja, 30 miles outside the federal capital, Abuja, with placards criticizing the government’s policies. Week-long nationwide protests had been due to begin on Wednesday.
A cost-of-living crisis that was already hitting Africa’s most populous country at the time the president, Bola Tinubu, took office in May last year has intensified after he removed a controversial fuel subsidy and announced other reforms. The prices of everyday commodities have astronomically increased, uninterrupted electricity is a distant dream, and fuel queues remain a common feature of life in the country, despite Nigeria’s status as one of the world’s top oil and gas producers.
Nigeria has also become the world’s malnutrition capital, with more than 31.8 million children affected, according to NGO data. This has further exacerbated the economic challenges faced by the citizens.
As the protest in Suleja commenced, there were counter-protests in parts of Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital and Tinubu’s stronghold, with big banners reading “Say no to protest”, only a couple of miles away from fuel queues in the city. The government supporters argue that protests will only destabilize the country further and hinder any progress being made.
In recent weeks, the Nigerian government had been warning and pleading in equal measure for citizens not to take to the street, apparently aware of its deepening unpopularity. The authorities have tried to emphasize that the current economic challenges cannot be resolved overnight and that the government needs time to implement its policies.
“You can’t judge leadership within one year,” Nyesom Wike, the minister in charge of Abuja, said on Sunday, at a forum convened to speak with young people in the city. Wike’s statement was an attempt to calm the agitated populace and to assure them that the government is working towards solutions.
Analysts said the government was attempting to prevent a repeat of the protests in Kenya, where young people in the East African nation held the state to a standstill for weeks, forcing the government to repeal new taxes. The Nigerian government fears a similar scenario, which could further destabilize the already fragile economy.
Tinubu, who approved a hike in the national minimum wage from N30,000 (£14.40) to N70,000 a month, urged young people not to demonstrate, claiming organizers were mobilizing for mass action with “sinister motives”. He has also met traditional rulers across the country to urge them to prevail on their subjects to be patient with his administration. This outreach to traditional rulers indicates the government’s effort to use cultural and traditional influence to maintain order.
Authorities have claimed the aim of the protests is to destabilize the country. On Friday, the secret service said it had identified “the funding lines, sponsors and collaborators of” a plot to topple the government via the demonstrations. A day after, the police chief, Kayode Egbetokun, said the security agencies were in possession of “credible intelligence” on the involvement of foreign mercenaries. Neither statement gave any details. Local reports say soldiers blocked the highway leading to Abuja on Monday while police reinforcements were seen in the northern hub of Kano on Sunday. These security measures highlight the government’s concern about the potential for unrest and the lengths it is willing to go to prevent it.
The US, UK, and Canada have issued travel advisories in advance of the protests. These advisories warn their citizens about the potential dangers of being in Nigeria during this period of heightened tension. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, indicating the global significance of the events unfolding in Nigeria.
The last big protests in Nigeria were the Occupy Nigeria demonstrations against fuel subsidy in 2012 – in which Tinubu played a key role – and 2020’s campaign against a rogue police unit known for its extrajudicial killings. These historical protests had a significant impact on the nation’s socio-political landscape, and the current protests are seen as a continuation of the struggle for better governance and accountability.
The protesters in Suleja carried banners and placards with messages such as “End Bad Governance,” “Reduce the Cost of Living,” and “We Deserve Better.” The atmosphere was charged with chants and songs demanding change. Many of the young protesters expressed their frustration over the lack of job opportunities and the high cost of education.
One protester, Amina Yusuf, a 25-year-old recent university graduate, said, “We are tired of empty promises. We need real change. How can we survive when everything is so expensive, and there are no jobs?” Her sentiments were echoed by many others at the protest.
The counter-protests in Lagos saw government supporters, some of whom were reportedly paid, waving banners that read “Support Tinubu,” “No to Violence,” and “Patience is Key.” These counter-protests were organized to show that there is still support for the government despite the widespread discontent.
The economic reforms initiated by Tinubu, which include the removal of the fuel subsidy, are seen by some analysts as necessary but painful steps towards economic stability. However, the immediate impact on the populace has been severe, leading to widespread dissatisfaction.
Economic experts argue that while the removal of the fuel subsidy was a difficult but necessary decision, the government needs to implement palliative measures to cushion the impact on the most vulnerable. They suggest that social welfare programs, subsidies on essential goods, and job creation initiatives could help mitigate the hardships faced by the people.
In the meantime, the security presence in major cities has been heightened, with checkpoints and patrols increased to prevent any outbreak of violence. The government has also been using state media to broadcast messages urging calm and patience.
Despite the government’s efforts to discourage the protests, the determination of the protesters remains strong. Many Nigerians feel that their voices need to be heard and that peaceful protests are a legitimate way to express their grievances. The coming days will be crucial in determining the direction of these demonstrations and the government’s response.
The protests highlight the growing frustration among Nigerians over economic policies and governance. The government’s handling of these protests will be a significant test of its ability to manage dissent and address the root causes of the public’s discontent. The world watches closely as Nigeria navigates this challenging period, hoping for a peaceful resolution that addresses the needs and aspirations of its people.
