AFRICA/NIGERIA - Demonstrations against the President's economic reforms begin

Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - Ten days of demonstrations are planned in Nigeria against the high cost of living and unemployment that affect a large part of the population. The protests, which begin today, August 1, are supported by a number of civil society organizations and are aimed above all at putting pressure on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to revise a series of economic reforms that have a major impact on the lives of Nigerian citizens.
For example, food prices have risen by 40 percent and fuel prices have tripled since Tinubu approved the economic measures to combat public debt. The economic policy of President Tinubu, who took office in May 2023, is facing increasing opposition from large sections of society.
The Nigerian bishops have also taken a position on the matter, through the President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and Archbishop of Owerri, Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, who in his opening speech to the first annual plenary assembly of the Bishops' Conference stated: "Due to the government's reforms, millions of Nigerians have been reduced to a life of extreme poverty, incredible suffering and unspeakable hardship, the likes of which have never happened in the history of our country" (see Fides, 19/2/2024).
In calling for the current demonstrations, Nigerians have drawn inspiration from the example of the Kenyans, whose protests forced President William Ruto to withdraw the Finance Bill and carry out a major government reshuffle (see Fides, 27/6/2024 and 31/7/2024).
Citizens are being called to participate under the hashtags #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria and #RevolutionNow.
The government, meanwhile, has called on citizens not to participate in the demonstrations and is calling for dialogue and moderation.
There are fears that there could be clashes and provocations by criminal groups that will create chaos and loot shops and public facilities. This concern was also expressed by the bishops of the ecclesiastical province of Ibadan, who issued a statement at their meeting saying that "protests should be carried out in a way that serves their purpose without causing unnecessary disruption. Protesters should be able to express their opinions without disturbing others who do not want to participate".
The bishops also remind the organizers of the demonstrations that they have a responsibility to ensure that the protests are peaceful and do not lead to violence. Finally, they call on the government to respond promptly and effectively to the demands of Nigerians so that protests are no longer necessary. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 1/8/2024)

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