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Planned Protest: What You Need To Know About August Demonstration

Published

2 years ago

July 29, 2024

Nigeria is bracing for nationwide protests this week over economic hardship.

Politicians and the army have warned people against taking to the streets, but organisers say government failings have left them little choice.

Both sides have made comparisons with recent protests in Kenya that forced the government to withdraw new taxes, but it is not clear what shape the rallies could take in Nigeria.

With demonstrations set to start on Thursday, AFP looks at how things stand.

What’s the economic backdrop?

Nigeria is suffering its worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation following reforms President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought in after coming to power last year.

He ended a fuel subsidy and currency controls, leading to a tripling of petrol prices and a spike in inflation.

The US-based World Bank and International Monetary Fund said the measures were needed to revive Nigeria’s economy and the government has appealed for patience.

But the reforms have hit Nigerians hard. Food inflation has topped 40 percent and hunger is spreading, especially in the north.

Kenya-style unrest?

Some analysts believe rallies in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, could take on Kenya-style momentum, pointing to similar grievances and the role of young people promoting protests online.

Nigerian risk consultancy SBM said a heavy-handed approach from the authorities risked “a confrontation that may spiral beyond anyone’s control.”

But many experts think Nigeria’s situation is different and less likely to bring out large crowds, pointing to the limited unrest Tinubu’s reforms have seen so far and fears following past crackdowns.

Who is behind the protests?
The authorities have directed warnings against protesting at young people, who have built support on social media under the hashtag “EndBadGovernanceinNigeria”.

Several campaign groups have declared plans to stage peaceful rallies.

Two young protest organisers last week told AFP they dismissed claims from the authorities that groups bent on violence had “hijacked” the protests.

Organisers say ordinary Nigerians are at the heart of the movement, and accuse authorities of laying the groundwork for a possible crackdown.

What are people saying on the street?

Activists hope thousands of Nigerians will protest nationwide, especially in major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Kano.

But many in the capital told AFP they were worried about violence or missing a day’s pay.

“I would like to join the protests because I need a change in Nigeria,” said Patience, a 27-year-old mother who sells corn at a roadside shop.

She explained her priority was earning enough to buy formula milk for her nine-month-old son. The price has soared since the president’s reforms.

“If I have enough money before that day I will go,” she said.

What about the north?
The economic situation has had a devastating effect in majority-Muslim northern Nigeria and religious leaders appear worried, urging people to shun rallies.

But several groups plan to push ahead, and on the streets of Kano, people expressed support for demonstrations.

“I’ll definitely go out to protest,” said Mansir, a 32-year-old schoolteacher.

“We are dying in silence and it is only when we shout that the government will understand what we are going through,” he said.

“The clerics are only claiming Islam forbids protests without bringing any proof. I will defy them.”

What do the authorities say?
Across Nigeria, the protest calls have been met by a torrent of warnings from officials, security forces and governors urging youth to stay away. There have also been several arrests.

The government has agreed to more than double the minimum wage and implemented measures to alleviate hunger, such as rice deliveries across the country.

Police in Abuja say they are deploying more than 4,000 officers in preparation.

The army said it would “not stand by and allow anarchy to befall our nation,” while President Tinubu has warned of the risks of escalation.

“We are talking about hunger, not burials. We have to be careful,” he said last week.

What has happened in the past?

Nigeria’s last major protest movement ended in a crackdown by security forces.

The 2020 #EndSARS rallies began over abuses by the SARS anti-robbery police squad and spiralled into the largest anti-government demonstrations in Nigeria’s modern history.

Amnesty International said soldiers shot at least 10 people dead at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos. The government and the army deny responsibility.

In 2012, the military also clamped down on “Occupy Nigeria” protests over former president Goodluck Jonathan’s bid to remove fuel subsidies.

AFP

News

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

30 minutes ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

19 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
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‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
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‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
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It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
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‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
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