Nationwide protests grip Nigeria over soaring prices, Economic hardship

By Charity Nginyu

Thousands of workers, traders, rights activists, and students took to the streets of major cities across Nigeria on Tuesday, voicing their frustration over the skyrocketing cost of essential goods such as food, medicine, cooking gas, and other commodities.

The Nigeria Workers’ Union initiated a two-day nationwide protest starting from Feb. 27, demanding government action to alleviate economic stress exacerbated by the removal of petrol subsidies.

Reports indicated a heavy presence of security personnel as protesters vented their frustrations over the widespread economic hardship.

In Lagos, for instance, protests were held in open spaces after the police sealed off the Labor Office.

Yusuf Inuwa, head of the labor union in Borno, expressed frustration over the police’s actions, while Kyari Dunoma, head of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria University in the same region, lamented the dire state of the economy and inflation.

The surge in prices of essential goods follows the removal of oil subsidies announced by President Bola Tinubu last June. Inflation has soared to about 30% in January, the highest in 25 years, according to the Nigeria National Bureau of Statistics.

In Lagos State, the Nigeria Labour Congress was joined by other unions, including the Nigerian Union of Teachers, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, and National Union of Air Transport Employees. Policemen manned major junctions along the planned protest routes to ensure peace and order.

Despite last-minute efforts by the Federal Government to avert the protests, including warnings against their execution, the demonstrations proceeded as planned. NLC President Joe Ajaero reaffirmed the necessity of the protests in light of the country’s economic challenges.