Nigeria Faces Nationwide Protests Over Economic Hardship and Rising Costs

Across Nigeria, hundreds have taken to the streets to protest against the soaring cost of living and escalating fuel prices. The demonstrations, which began recently, are expected to continue for 10 days, prompting heightened security measures in Lagos and the capital, Abuja.

Africa's most populous nation is grappling with rampant inflation and a significantly devalued naira currency. These economic challenges have intensified since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu introduced reforms aimed at revitalizing the economy a year ago.

The protest movement, tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, has gained traction through an online campaign. Nigerians, facing food inflation at 40 percent and fuel prices that have tripled since Tinubu's reforms, have rallied behind the cause.

Reports from Reuters indicate that police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators in Abuja on Thursday. In the northern city of Kano, similar measures were taken when protesters attempted to light bonfires outside the governor's office, according to AFP.

Security forces have blocked roads leading to Abuja's Eagle Square, one of the planned demonstration sites. In Lagos, police and soldiers have been strategically positioned, including at the Lekki toll gate, the site of the 2020 protests against police brutality that ended in tragedy.

Lagos State Police Commissioner Adegoke Fayoade told Al Jazeera, "Our duty is clear: to ensure that the protest is peaceful, devoid of violence, and devoid of the horrific events that occurred during the uprising in 2020."

In an attempt to alleviate economic pressures, the government announced measures on Wednesday, including the distribution of grain to states across the country and aid to the most vulnerable. Despite these efforts, residents across Nigeria have been stocking up on food and essentials, fearing potential violence during the demonstrations.

Ismail Olushola Oladare, an activist who participated in the 2020 protests, told Al Jazeera, "The police are brutalizing the Nigerian people, and people want that to stop. Today, this particular protest and the protest against bad governance is about the standard of living of people."

Protest organizers, a loose coalition of civil society groups, have vowed to continue their rallies despite legal challenges attempting to confine their demonstrations to public parks rather than allowing marches.

Omolola Pedro, a protest organizer, explained to Al Jazeera that the rallies aim to convey to the government that Nigerians have had enough of the "abuse of human rights and the unstable economic situation resulting from the policies they have made."

The organizers have presented a list of 19 demands, with the removal of state subsidies on petroleum products at the core of their grievances, which they blame for the current crisis.

These demonstrations follow recent unrest and antigovernment protests in Kenya, where President William Ruto was compelled to repeal planned tax hikes. In Uganda, police detained dozens participating in banned anticorruption protests organized online by young activists inspired by Kenya's rallies.

Nigeria's Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, stated, "Some groups of people, self-appointed crusaders and influencers, have been strategizing and mobilizing potential protesters to unleash terror in the land under the guise of replicating the recent Kenya protests."

Egbetokun added after meeting senior officers in Abuja, "We will, therefore, not sit back and fold our arms to watch violent activities unleash violence on our peaceful communities or destroy any of our national critical infrastructure and assets again."

As Nigeria navigates this period of economic turmoil and civil unrest, the government faces the challenge of addressing the concerns of its citizens while maintaining public order and pursuing its economic reform agenda.