Thousands of Nigerians have taken to the streets in protest since Thursday, drawing inspiration from recent demonstrations in Kenya. Organizers have called for 10 days of protests to pressure the government into addressing high living costs, state neglect, and worsening security.
Protesters claim that Nigeria’s political elite are out of touch with the struggles of ordinary citizens. They are demanding a reversal of the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu last year.
“Give us stable electricity,” read one placard at a Lagos protest, highlighting the issue that nearly half of Nigeria’s 210 million residents lack reliable access to grid electricity, with frequent power cuts for those who do.
The government has tried to discourage protests through broadcasts warning that they could be “hijacked by hoodlums” and “endanger the lives of Nigerians.”
Amnesty International reports that at least 13 protesters have been killed by security forces. Civil rights groups have condemned the widespread internet disruptions that followed the demonstrations. While network providers cited vandalism of underground cables, many citizens suspect a deliberate blockade to disrupt organized protests.
“This is not the right time to be protesting,” said Nigerian police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi. He referenced the violent history of protests in Nigeria, such as the End SARS protests against police brutality and extortion in October 2020, which resulted in over 50 deaths, many caused by security forces.
One demonstrator in Lagos told Foreign Policy he would “rather die on the streets protesting than die at home from hunger.” Despite being a graduate and software programmer, he said he could not earn enough to feed or clothe his children. In the upscale neighborhoods of Victoria Island and Lekki in Lagos, roads were empty as citizens stayed home and businesses shut down.
On Sunday, Tinubu urged demonstrators to suspend their marches and engage in dialogue with the government. “I have heard you loud and clear,” he said in a televised address. He claimed that his reform policies had reduced debt servicing from 97 percent to 68 percent of government revenue in the past 13 months.
Tinubu, a former Lagos governor, inherited an economy near collapse. Defending his reforms, he cited new actions to alleviate hardship, including relaunching a $70 million youth investment fund, creating grants for businesses, and increasing the minimum wage from 30,000 naira (about $20) to 70,000 naira ($45) per month. However, this wage increase is still less than the cost of a 50-kilogram bag of rice, a staple food in Nigeria that has seen its price rise from an average of 32,000 naira in February to 90,000 naira in August due to record inflation of nearly 35 percent. The government announced plans to sell bags of rice at half price to civil servants in an attempt to prevent further protests.
While Tinubu’s business-friendly reforms are welcomed by foreign investors and multinationals, many argue that they have worsened endemic poverty and insecurity, particularly in the north. In that region, Boko Haram has seen a resurgence in suicide bombings. The partial removal and subsequent reintroduction of gasoline subsidies, along with devaluations of the naira and increased electricity costs, have added to the economic strain. Nigerians argue that these changes have been implemented too quickly in a country without social welfare, which has suffered decades of state neglect and unemployment. In June, the World Bank approved a $2.25 billion loan to support Tinubu’s fiscal policies.
“These decisions were necessary to reverse decades of economic mismanagement,” Tinubu said.
Following the example of Kenyan protesters last month, Nigerians argue that Tinubu should first cut his cabinet’s salaries and tackle state corruption. Demonstrations in Nairobi forced President William Ruto to abandon tax hikes and dismiss most of his cabinet last month.
In Nigeria, Tinubu’s 48-member cabinet is the largest in the country’s democratic history, and critics argue that many appointments are based on political cronyism. The state budget continues to rise while Nigerians become poorer. Last November, Tinubu approved an additional $38 million budget for the presidential air fleet, SUVs for lawmakers, and a renovation of the presidential villa.
In several major cities, security forces have used tear gas to disperse protesters. A 24-hour curfew was declared in four northern states after protesters looted state buildings and businesses late on Thursday. In Kano, where protests are rare, police deployed tear gas, hot water, and live ammunition to disperse large crowds. Around 326 protesters were arrested in the state on charges of arson and looting, according to local authorities. Some northern protesters were seen carrying Russian flags, raising concerns among state authorities. The Nigerian police reported arresting nearly 80 people in Kano, including foreign nationals accused of producing Russian flags.
Nigeria’s protests follow anti-government marches in Uganda and a high court-blocked protest in Ghana over living costs. Africa has the world’s youngest population, with many highly educated but unemployed individuals. Without effective state plans for job creation, manufacturing, and economic productivity, African leaders can expect further dissent from young people frustrated with unaccountable governments.
