As Nigeria marked its 64th Independence Day, protests erupted across the nation, with thousands of Nigerians taking to the streets to express their frustrations over rising living costs and poor governance.
In Lagos, peaceful demonstrators gathered in Ojota, demanding a reversal of the recent electricity tariff hike, a reduction in fuel prices, and better governance.
Protesters, holding banners with slogans like “End Bad Governance” and “Lower Fuel Prices Now,” decried the current economic policies, which they claim have deepened inflation and worsened poverty.
Olaleke Paul, one of the protesters , addressed the crowd, stating, “I came out to exercise my freedom – freedom of speech, movement, association, and fundamental human rights.”
He criticized President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, particularly the decision to float the naira, which has led to a significant devaluation of the currency. “
As of May 29, 2023, the exchange rate was N461 to a dollar. Now, it’s N1,680. That’s the renewed struggle – high inflation, rising interest rates, and increasing hardship for Nigerians,” Paul stated.
Ajibade Oluwasheun, a protester in Lagos, shared his personal struggles during an interview. “We are here today to protest against bad governance, particularly under President Tinubu’s administration.
The cost of living, inflation, and economic hardship have made life unbearable for many,” Oluwasheun said.
He explained how rising prices have affected his daily life. “My electricity bill has gone from 10,000 naira to 25,000 naira, and house rent have doubled. Food and transportation costs are overwhelming.
Nigerians are suffering, and we’re here today to be the voice of those who can’t speak out.”
Another protester, Joshua Olatiwo, is part of the “End Bad Governance” movement, which began in August 2024.
He expressed his frustration with the government’s economic policies. “The government prioritizes private refineries over our four national ones, driving up fuel prices and making life unaffordable,” he said.
Joshua emphasized the difficulties ordinary citizens face, including his own challenges as a single man and his retired parents’ struggles. “We’ll keep protesting until our demands are heard,” Joshua vowed.
The protesters called for a reversal of the electricity tariff hike, a reduction of fuel prices to pre-increase levels, the removal of taxes on imported vehicles, promotion of local vehicle production, and better governance to address economic hardship and poverty.
The protests reflect growing dissatisfaction with the government’s economic management, as citizens demand immediate reforms to ease their burdens.
While the government is yet to respond, the persistence of these protests indicates that pressure is mounting for swift action.
