Nigerian authorities have bolstered security in Lagos and the capital, Abuja, as widespread protests erupted across the country.
The protests were driven by mounting discontent over soaring living costs and fuel price hikes.
The demonstrations, which commenced and are expected to span ten days, underscore deep-seated grievances in Africa’s most populous nation.
Economic pressures have intensified, with steep inflation and a devalued naira following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms initiated a year ago to stimulate the economy.
Under the banner #EndbadGovernanceinNigeria, the protests have gained momentum through online advocacy. They resonate with Nigerians grappling with a 40% surge in food prices and a tripling of fuel costs since the reforms were introduced.
Security forces responded forcefully in various cities.
In Abuja, police dispersed protesters with tear gas, as reported by Reuters, while in Kano, demonstrators attempted to light bonfires outside government offices, prompting a tear gas response from police, according to AFP.
Ahead of planned gatherings at Abuja’s Eagle Square and strategic points in Lagos, including the Lekki toll gate—a site of deadly clashes during 2020 protests against police brutality—authorities took preemptive measures, barricading roads and deploying a combined force of police and soldiers.
Adegoke Fayoade, Lagos State Police Commissioner, emphasized maintaining peace during the demonstrations, stressing the need to avoid a recurrence of past violence.
In response to public outcry over economic hardship, the government announced measures to alleviate the strain, including the distribution of grain across states and targeted aid to vulnerable populations.
However, concerns over potential violence persisted, prompting residents to stock up on essential supplies.
Activist Ismail Olushola Oladare, a participant in the 2020 protests, voiced grievances over alleged police brutality and highlighted broader discontent with governance and economic policies affecting livelihoods.
Protest leaders, representing a coalition of civil society groups, vowed to press forward with rallies despite legal challenges limiting their scope to public parks instead of broader marches.
Organiser Omolola Pedro conveyed that the protests serve as a platform to challenge what demonstrators perceive as governmental human rights abuses and economic mismanagement.
The demonstrators’ central demand is the removal of state subsidies on petroleum products, which they contend exacerbate the economic crisis.
The demonstrations follow a wave of unrest and antigovernment protests in Kenya, where President William Ruto was compelled to rescind proposed tax increases. In Uganda, police detained numerous individuals involved in prohibited anticorruption protests, echoing regional tensions over governance and economic policies.
Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, cautioned against potential violence and vandalism and vowed to take proactive measures to protect public safety and national infrastructure.
The protests highlight public frustration with economic hardships and governance, presenting a formidable challenge to authorities striving to balance security with public dissent in a volatile socio-economic landscape.
