In 2020, protesters claimed to have seen men remove cameras from the Lekki Toll gate in Lagos state where Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT) once served as a governor. On October 20, 2020, many were later killed by the Nigerian Army at the venue. Today, BAT is Nigeria’s president and yesterday, August 1, many Nigerians poured into the streets to protest a tenure that has been a nightmare.
Before the #EndBadGovernance protest came in like an August visitor who most Nigerians have gladly welcomed, many started expecting it when Business Day reported that inflation rose by over 50% in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s first year in office. In addition to this, Nigeria’s debts mount into a mountain as he cannot seem to stop borrowing.
Similar to the Kenyan protests, the Tinubu government may have had its fair share of new taxes but the reasons for the Nigerian protests go beyond taxes to core bad governance that has caused many hunger.
Protesters are calling for the return of a fuel subsidy that was removed in May 2023. This led to a sharp increase in prices for food, transportation, and various other goods. The price hikes have severely impacted a population already grappling with widespread joblessness and rampant inflation climbing to its highest in 30 years—a 34% inflation.
To cushion the effects of the abrasive economy, President Tinubu increased the minimum wage from 30,000 to 70,000, a far cry from the over 600,00 that the labor unions started their bargain with several months prior.
#End Bad Governance Day 1
Considering the happenings of Day One of the Ten-day protest with the slogan “10 days of rage,” the question many ask is: what is the assurance that another EndSARS protest scenario is not brewing? This is not out of place as some have died and many have been injured including journalists only on the first day
In Abuja, tensions rose as protesters gathered outside the national stadium, coming face-to-face with pro-government supporters.
The situation remains volatile, with authorities struggling to maintain order amid the widespread unrest. The protests have exposed deep-seated frustrations and highlighted the challenges facing the government in addressing the economic concerns of its citizens.
The capital, Abuja, and neighboring Niger state witnessed gunfire and tear gas as police attempted to disperse persistent protesters. Local media in Niger reported at least six feared dead, though police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun stated there were no casualties. Authorities arrested 11 armed individuals accused of setting fire to a government building after looting it.
In Suleja, Niger State, Premium Times reported that police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd and Yahaya Isah was killed by a stray bullet during the chaos, according to neighbors and the Nigerian Bar Association.
Protests escalated into chaos in several parts of the country, with northern Yobe and Kano states implementing a 24-hour curfew due to widespread looting and destruction of both private and public property. In Kano, demonstrators broke into and ransacked a soon-to-be-opened Digital Innovation Park, as reported by Communications Minister Bosun Tijani.
Reuters reported three additional fatalities in northwestern Kaduna state, citing eyewitness accounts. The Kaduna Police Command has not yet responded to requests for comment on these reports. Other cities where the protesters demonstrated include Uyo, Ibadan, Lagos, Osogbo, and Gombe.
Possible Outcomes
After the EndSARS protest massacre in October 2020, many rumored links to President Tinubu while deeming the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwoolu as a figurehead. While this connection may be deemed ludicrous considering President Bola Tinubu had no constitutional authority at the time, what is clear is that protest gets bloody as was the case with Kenya’s Finance Bill protests and the EndSARS Protest which lingers in Nigerians’s memories.
On the other hand, protests also yield positive results like President Ruto reversing the Finance Bill in Kenya’s case and going as far as having a space meeting on X to speak with Kenyand directly. While the latter may be a reach for President Bola Tinubu as his government is known for responding with silence, Nigerians hope to achieve meaningful government reforms, substantive dialogue, resulting pump price reduction, reduced food prices, reduced kidnappings in the northern part of the country, among others.
As the days of the protest unfold, one apparent outcome has been achieved since the first day: It has raised awareness about Nigeria’s ailing economy both home and abroad and we can only wait for the fruits.
