Nigerians Take to the Streets in Protest over High Living Costs

Nigerian cities are buzzing with protests as thousands of people hit the streets to voice their frustrations over skyrocketing living costs.

These demonstrations kicked off on August 1, 2024, causing a heavy presence of police and troops in key areas like Lagos and Abuja. The protests are part of a planned 10-day series aimed at drawing attention to the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

The issues are dire, with rising inflation—food prices soaring at an alarming 40 percent— as well as fuel costs that have tripled following President Bola Tinubu‘s economic reforms last year.

In the capital city of Abuja, reports have surfaced of police using tear gas to disperse crowds gathered at Eagle Square. Similarly, in the northern city of Kano, protesters clashed with police. The atmosphere is tense, and many residents are concerned about violence as they stand up for their rights.

Amid these protests, Nigerian police commissioner Adegoke Fayoade insists that the goal is to keep things peaceful and avoid the violence seen during previous protests in 2020.

Efforts to address the economic pain were made when the government announced measures to deliver food to the most vulnerable citizens, but many people are still anxious and stocking up on essentials.

<p“People want an end to police brutality and the current administration's failure to improve living standards,” voiced activist Ismail Olushola Oladare.

Organizers of the protests, including Omolola Pedro, are determined to push forward despite legal efforts to restrict their gatherings to specific locations. They are demanding major changes, including the scrapping of the petroleum subsidies that many blame for the crisis.

As Nigeria faces its challenges, officials warn against repeating violent protests like those in neighboring countries, where recent unrest forced changes in leadership and policies.

The situation is further complicated as the government continues to struggle to address soaring inflation and declining living standards, leading citizens to cry out, ‘enough is enough’.