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Recent reports reveal plans for a nationwide protest in Nigeria from August 1 to 10, labeled “10 days of rage,” in response to rising living costs and economic challenges. Protest organizers are demanding a rollback of President Bola Tinubu’s recent policies, which they argue have exacerbated hardship. ...READ THE FULL STORY FROM SOURCE ...READ THE FULL STORY FROM SOURCE
Key demands include reinstating subsidies for petrol and education, lowering electricity tariffs, reducing import duties to pre-crisis levels, declaring an emergency on inflation, increasing government transparency, and cutting politicians’ salaries and allowances. They are also calling for judicial reforms.
In Nigeria, the spirit of protest has been as vital to our history as any political movement or figure. It’s about ordinary folks coming together, often in the face of overwhelming odds, to demand a fairer, just society.
These protests have also shaped the very fabric of our nation. Let’s look into some unforgettable protests that have left a lasting impact on Nigeria’s history.
Aba Women’s Riot – 1929
In 1929, thousands of women from southeastern Nigeria were banding together, their voices rising in unison against the British colonialists. They were fighting an unfair tax policy that targeted women, sparking what we now call the Aba Women’s Riot or the Women’s War.
Using their traditional practice of “sitting on a man”—which involved singing and dancing around the homes of colonial officials—the women showcased their power and unity.
Although the protest led to the tragic deaths of about 50 women, their courage forced the colonial rulers to scrap the tax. This riot wasn’t just a protest; it was a pioneering battle for respect and equality.
The Enugu Coal Miners’ Strike 1949
Fast forward to 1949 in the coal-rich hills of Enugu, where miners were fed up with unbearable working conditions and meager pay. Their strike began as a simple demand for better wages but turned tragic when British police fired on unarmed miners, killing 21 and wounding 51.
This brutal event did more than just highlight labor abuses; it ignited a nationwide fervor for independence, helping to pave the way for Nigeria’s liberation from colonial rule in 1960.
Ali Must Go Protests – 1978
The year 1978 was a turning point for student activism in Nigeria. When the government, led by General Olusegun Obasanjo, hiked tuition fees and slashed student grants, it sparked a massive student uprising famously known as the “Ali Must Go” protests.
The students’ rallying cry was against the Education Minister, Colonel Ahmadu Ali, who became the face of government indifference. The clashes were intense, leading to several student deaths and the shutdown of universities nationwide. The government had to rethink its policies, proving yet again that Nigerian students were a force to be reckoned with.
Occupy Nigeria – 2012
Jump to January 2012, and Nigeria faced another critical juncture—the Occupy Nigeria movement. It erupted after the government removed fuel subsidies, causing fuel prices to skyrocket overnight.
The protests, led by a mix of labor unions and everyday citizens, virtually paralyzed major cities and highlighted the deeper issues of corruption and economic mismanagement.
The outcry was so powerful that the government had to reintroduce some of the subsidies, a victory for the protesters and a testament to the power of collective action.
EndSARS Protests – 2020
More recently, in October 2020, the EndSARS movement swept across the nation. It began as an online outcry against the brutalities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a police unit notorious for its human rights violations.
The movement quickly transformed into massive street protests, drawing thousands of young Nigerians demanding not just the disbandment of SARS, but also broad police reforms.
The government responded by disbanding the unit, but the peaceful protests took a dark turn with the tragic events at Lekki Toll Gate, where soldiers allegedly fired on protesters. This incident drew global attention and became a symbol of the ongoing struggle for justice and reform in Nigeria....For More CONTINUE THE FULL READING▶▶
