Thousands of protesters have congregated in various cities across Nigeria to protest against the increasing cost of living and widespread dissatisfaction with government policies. The protests, organized nationwide, have been sparked by the combination of skyrocketing fuel prices, high food inflation, rising electricity tariffs, and a significant devaluation of the national currency, which have collectively plunged the country into one of its worst economic crises in decades.

In the capital city of Abuja, the protests took a tense turn when the police used tear gas against hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the public space near Eagle Square. Similar scenes unfolded in several cities in northern Nigeria, where the ongoing demonstrations, planned to last for ten days, encountered a heavy presence of law enforcement. In Kano, a populous city in the north, anti-government protesters forcibly entered government buildings to make their grievances heard.

Lagos, usually a bustling city filled with activity and traffic, witnessed an unusual stillness with many shops closed, and a heightened presence of police and military personnel throughout. Defying police instructions to relocate to a designated area, nearly a thousand protesters gathered at a main expressway in Ketu, a commercial hub in Lagos. Among the protestors was Ibrahim Suleiman, a trader in Lagos, who held a placard demanding an end to bad governance and highlighting the dire effects of hunger. He expressed his frustration, stating that his children can no longer afford to go to school, and the soaring prices of basic food items such as beans and garri have left them hungry.

For weeks, government officials at various levels - ministers, lawmakers, governors, police, and security chiefs - have been attempting to prevent nationwide protests, drawing parallels to recent demonstrations in Kenya. While authorities have urged patience, offered concessions, and issued threats, their response has been met with criticism from civil society groups.

Nigeria's economic crisis has deepened over the past year following the adoption of a series of economic reforms by the government elected in May 2023. The removal of a controversial fuel subsidy and loosening of currency controls received praise from entities like the IMF and World Bank, as well as economists who argued that these measures were necessary, though painful. Nonetheless, the impact of these policies has been severe, exacerbating poverty levels and leading to alarming rates of malnutrition and food insecurity, according to aid organizations. Inflation has soared to a staggering 34 percent, the highest in almost 30 years, with food inflation reaching 40 percent. Insecurity in northwest and central Nigeria has further disrupted farming activities, contributing to the rising prices of food items.

In response, the government has initiated food aid programs, distributing supplies such as bags of rice to various communities. However, these efforts have been criticized as inefficient and inadequate, reaching only a fraction of those in need. Protesters in Lagos have expressed their contention, emphasizing that what they truly desire is good governance and job opportunities, rather than relying on handouts. They argue that the focus should be on creating an environment where they can work and earn a decent living.

Just this week, President Bola Tinubu signed a new minimum wage into law, effectively doubling it to 70,000 naira ($42) after months of negotiations with labor unions. However, many Nigerians, with the majority being self-employed or unemployed, remain skeptical about the impact of this wage increase, especially when several states have voiced concerns about their inability to afford the higher wage. The prevailing sentiment among the protesters is that the new minimum wage is insufficient and falls short of addressing the underlying issues.

As the protests continue to unfold, Nigeria finds itself at a critical juncture, with the demands of the people echoing across the nation. The government is now faced with the challenge of addressing the root causes of the economic crisis, tackling rising inflation, and implementing policies that will alleviate the burden of the soaring cost of living on its citizens.