As Nigeria marks her 64th Independence Day, the mood in the country is anything but celebratory.
While the Federal Government (FG) has announced plans for a low-key commemoration, citing the difficult economic conditions, Nigerian youths are gearing up for nationwide protests against hunger and bad governance.
This will be the second Independence Day under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, following his assumption of office in May 2023.
On September 26, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, confirmed that the celebration would be subdued, acknowledging the economic hardship Nigerians are facing. Akume stated that the FG sympathizes with citizens enduring these tough times.
However, for Nigerian Youths and many activists, this low-key celebration presents a prime opportunity to push forward their agenda of protesting against the high cost of living and bad governance.
The protest movement, tagged “FearlessInOctober,” is an extension of previous demonstrations held in August, where citizens took to the streets to demand urgent solutions to Nigeria’s worsening economic crisis.
The removal of the fuel subsidy in May 2023 has further her worsen Economic Woes of Nigeria because it is a major point of contention, causing a ripple effect on the prices of essential goods.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the cost of staples such as rice, beans, bread, and eggs has skyrocketed. For example, the price of a kilogram of beans jumped by 271.55% year-on-year, from N692.95 in August 2023 to N2,574.63 in August 2024. Similarly, a 50kg bag of rice now costs around N100,000 and above, a price that has made feeding a family nearly impossible for the average Nigerian.
The data from the NBS revealed that inflation has hit almost every corner of the economy. With fuel prices hovering between N1200 and N1,900 per liter, many Nigerians are struggling to make ends meet.
Inflation has rendered the recently announced N70,000 national minimum wage ineffective, further fueling public anger.
The “FearlessInOctober” protest follows the “EndBadGovernance” demonstrations in August, which turned violent when non-state actors hijacked the movement, resulting in multiple fatalities.
A report by Beacon Security Intelligence (BSI) indicated that 30 people lost their lives during the August protests, a number that contradicted official reports from the Nigerian Police Force, which claimed only seven deaths. Most of the casualties were attributed to gunshots, likely fired by law enforcement and unidentified armed actors.
Organizers of the upcoming protests argue that their demands from August have gone unanswered.
In a statement signed by groups such as the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), and Pan-African Consciousness Renaissance (PACOR-Nigeria), they declared that the fight against “anti-poor” policies, such as the fuel subsidy removal, must continue.
They explained how the fuel price hike has had a direct impact on food prices, making survival nearly impossible for the average Nigerian.
The activists emphasized that the protests aim to peacefully call attention to the worsening living conditions, while urging the government to take immediate action to address the issues.
In anticipation of the Independence Day protests, the Lagos State Police Command and the Department of State Services (DSS) have issued warnings to potential troublemakers.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olarenwaju Ishola, assured citizens of the police presence during the demonstrations to ensure that they remain peaceful. He stated that while it is the right of citizens to protest, law and order must be maintained.
Despite these warnings, protest organizers are undeterred. Popular human rights activist Omoyele Sowore declared that the police and other security agencies have a duty to protect protesters. He noted that organizers have notified the necessary authorities to ensure a peaceful demonstration.
Another key figure, activist Jerome Williams, stressed that Nigerian youths refuse to be silenced or intimidated, despite the government’s attempts to crack down on protests.
Williams criticized the government’s approach, stating, “They don’t care about the people’s suffering. All they do is arrest protesters, but they’re not addressing the real issues. People are dying of hunger. We won’t stop until our voices are heard.”
As Nigeria commemorates another year of independence, the atmosphere is one of uncertainty, as protests against economic hardship loom large.
The coming days will reveal whether the government can effectively address the grievances of its people or if the nation will continue down its path of unrest.
