President Bola Tinubu has called for an end to nationwide protests that have resulted in “bloodshed” and left seven people dead over three days. The demonstrations, sparked by a worsening cost of living crisis, have also led to the arrest of more than 700 individuals.
In a televised address, President Tinubu acknowledged the public’s grievances. “My dear Nigerians, especially our youth, I have heard you loud and clear,” he stated, expressing his understanding of their “pain and frustration.”
The protests, organized under the hashtag #EndBadGovernance, have been attributed to the economic reforms introduced by Tinubu since taking office in May 2023, which include the removal of a petrol subsidy and ending the peg of the local currency to the dollar. These measures have led to skyrocketing prices and widespread economic hardship.
President Tinubu defended his policies, suggesting the protests had been hijacked by looters in some areas. He emphasized that ending the unrest would pave the way for dialogue, but did not indicate any intention to reverse his economic reforms.
The demonstrations were inspired by recent protests in Kenya, where public outcry led the government to abandon plans to increase taxes.
In his address, Tinubu also expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and the destruction of public property in four northern states—Borno, Jigawa, Kano, and Yobe—where authorities have imposed 24-hour curfews in response to the violence, which they attributed to “hoodlums.”
The president condemned the “wanton looting of supermarkets and shops,” noting that such actions were contrary to the protest organizers’ promises.
As Nigeria faces mounting hardships, the government’s response to these protests will be closely watched by both citizens and international observers.
