Nigerians Ready to Protest Over Rising Costs of Living

Nigerians are gearing up to protest as they tackle the tough economic crisis hitting the country. Activist Banwo Olagokun, who is part of the Take It Back Movement, spoke to the BBC about the hardships people are facing, saying, «We dey protest because we dey hungry.» This group is calling for ten days of protests starting this Thursday, despite the government asking them to reconsider.

At just 36 years old, Olagokun highlighted the rising inflation affecting daily life, noting that basic needs like food, water, and medical care have become unaffordable. With an annual inflation rate hitting 34.19%, the highest in nearly thirty years, the cost of food, particularly in bustling Lagos, is skyrocketing—some items are now almost four times their price from last year.

Nigerians are known for their resilience, often making do with less. In recent months, many have resorted to buying rotten tomatoes, lower-quality rice, and eating fewer meals just to survive. However, it remains uncertain what the breaking point will be.

The Take It Back Movement has several demands including tackling the cost-of-living crisis and offering free education at all educational levels. Olagokun expressed, «We just dey demand for di reversal of di tins wey dey make tins expensive.» Other requests include scrapping the 1999 constitution, allowing Nigerians abroad to vote, and releasing imprisoned Biafran leader Nnamdi Kanu.

Juwon Sanyaolu, the 31-year-old national coordinator of the movement, pointed out their inspiration from recent protests in Kenya, where youth forced their president to withdraw a controversial tax plan. He believes the demands from Nigerian protesters are realistic and can lead to significant change.

Recent plans for the protests have caught the attention of the government, which has held emergency meetings to strategize a response. President Bola Tinubu reached out through Information Minister Mohammed Idris Malagi, asking protesters to cancel their plans and to give his administration more time to deliver on its promises.

State governors also voiced their concerns, urging young people to consider the consequences of protests, with Abia state Governor Alex Otti warning that it could cause more harm than good. In an effort to quell discontent, government agencies have announced support for youths, including job openings and financial aid for business ventures.

Protest organizers have stated that these measures fall short of what is needed and only fuel their motivation to take to the streets. Sanyaolu stated, «If young pipo insist and put dia leg for ground, we go get more.»

The ongoing economic difficulties stem from several issues, such as government policies that led to the naira’s depreciation and the removal of fuel subsidies. This economic situation now clouds President Tinubu’s first year in office, though the government argues these reforms are essential.

Economist Muda Yusuf agrees that while the reforms were necessary, they were not well-planned. He suggested the government should have introduced measures to soften the impact on the public more swiftly.

Many businesses are feeling the strain of the economic crisis. Caterer Abosede Ibikunle shared that her regular clients have started cooking for their own events, saying, «Eviritin don cost. Nothing cheap. Pipo dey suffer, pipo dey die, dis hardship too much.»

Amid fears that protests could turn violent like the #EndSars demonstrations from four years ago, warnings of potential violence from officials like Folasade Tinubu-Ojo and General Edward Buba have raised concerns. Police chief Kayode Egbetokun attributed the unrest to “self-appointed crusaders and influencers.”

Despite these warnings, organizers remain resolute, reminding themselves that they have nothing to lose but their chains. Sanyaolu concluded, «Di protesters get nothing to lose but dia chains,» invoking powerful words to inspire courage in the face of adversity.