On October 1, 2024, as Nigeria marked 64 years of independence from British colonial rule, thousands of citizens gathered in key cities, Lagos, the economic hub, and Abuja, the nation’s capital to protest against rising living and energy costs.
Many protesters conveyed their message to the president, declaring that this was not a time for celebration as numerous Nigerians are struggling with hunger and hardship.
The protest, named “FearlessInOctober,” gained momentum through social media just two months after the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations in August. Both movements were driven by similar themes, with young people demanding a reversal of the removal of petrol subsidies and the increase in electricity tariffs. These changes, according to many Nigerians, had exacerbated the already difficult living conditions in the country.
In Abuja, protesters gathered in the Utako area, waving the national Green-White-Green flag and holding banners with inscriptions such as “EndBadGovernance,” “Diaspora Voting,” and “EndHighLivingCosts.”
Similarly, in Lagos, demonstrators blocked the Ikeja UnderBridge, bringing vehicular movement in the state capital to a halt. The Lagos protesters carried large banners displaying messages like “Hunger Dey” and “Reverse Anti-People, Neoliberal Policies of Privatisation, Deregulation, and Devaluation of Naira.”
Prominent activist Omoyele Sowore was seen at the Lagos protest, leading a march toward Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, a major landmark in the city. Both in Lagos and Abuja, security forces were deployed in large numbers but maintained a distance from the demonstrators to avoid direct confrontations.
The protests were not limited to Lagos and Abuja, as similar demonstrations erupted in various other states across Nigeria. These actions occurred despite government warnings and attempts to dissuade the public from participating.
Criticism has been mounting against President Bola Tinubu’s policies, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy and the unification of exchange rates. Many Nigerians believe these measures are responsible for the unprecedented inflation and the steep rise in energy costs.
Since Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, energy costs have soared, with petrol prices rising from around N200 per litre to over N1,000, and electricity tariffs quadrupling. These increases have significantly impacted both the manufacturing sector and household finances.
In his second Independence Day Anniversary broadcast, President Tinubu acknowledged the economic difficulties caused by his administration’s reforms and urged Nigerians to be patient.
He emphasized that his government was actively working to retool economic policies to alleviate the situation. Tinubu expressed sympathy for the hardship many were facing but reassured the public that efforts were underway to lower the high cost of living.
