One year after thousands of Nigerians poured onto the streets to protest widespread hardship and poor governance, organisers of the #EndBadGovernance movement, economists, and rights activists say the country’s condition has deteriorated.
The protest, which took place from August 1 to 10, 2024, saw mass demonstrations in major cities such as Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Gombe, Jigawa, Borno, and Abuja. In several locations, the protests turned violent, resulting in looting and clashes with security forces. Amnesty International reported that 24 protesters were killed and over 1,200 arrested, including minors.
Although President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered the release of detained protesters and promised investigations into the conduct of law enforcement agencies, activists say no officer has been held accountable, and governance reforms remain elusive.
Human rights lawyer and protest co-convener, Deji Adeyanju, said the situation has only worsened. “The hunger has increased, and the issues we protested about remain unaddressed. Not even compensation has been made to families of those killed. It’s unfortunate,” he told Daily Trust.
Junwon Sanyaolu, national coordinator of the Take-it-Back Movement, echoed similar frustrations. “The cost of living continues to soar, the minimum wage is inadequate, and Nigerians are poorer than ever. Mobilisation for a fresh round of protests is already underway,” he said.
According to him, persistent insecurity, a collapsed healthcare system, and the continued use of the Cybercrime Act to silence dissent are indicators of governance failure. “The same oppressive conditions we fought against remain. The people will return to the streets soon,” he warned.
Jabir Ibrahim Yaro, Chairman of the Northern Comrades Movement of Nigeria, said the post-protest period has seen worsening inflation and insecurity, especially in the North West. “We’re watching closely, but if the situation remains unchanged, we will adopt new strategies to demand accountability,” he said.
Efforts to get the government’s reaction proved unsuccessful. Calls and messages to presidential aides Bayo Onanuga and Daniel Bwala, as well as Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, went unanswered.
Economic experts also painted a grim picture. Prof. Sheriffdeen Tella of Olabisi Onabanjo University said inflation, unemployment, and naira devaluation remain pressing issues. He urged the government to lower interest rates and support small businesses, which create most jobs.
“Growth figures may look good, but they don’t reflect improvements in people’s lives. Small businesses are struggling under rising taxes, utility bills, and high inflation,” he said.
Prof. Hussainatu Abdullahi of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, blamed anti-poor policies and external influences like the IMF for worsening conditions. “The minimum wage can’t even buy a bag of rice. Borrowing has only increased our debt without improving lives,” she noted.
Former CDHR President, Malachy Ugwumadu, criticised the growing debt burden and deteriorating living standards. “Electricity and fuel costs have skyrocketed, and people are unsure of where their next meal will come from. The same issues that sparked the protest persist,” he said.
Still, he acknowledged some government efforts like educational access via NELFUND and support for agriculture, but said they are far from sufficient.
Public analyst, Barrister Liborous Oshoma, said hunger and hardship will persist as long as unemployment remains high and production lags behind consumption. “We can’t fix hunger with handouts. We need the private sector to drive growth and jobs,” he argued.
He also called for a sharper focus in activism. “#EndBadGovernance is too broad. Like #EndSARS, it should focus on one issue at a time to drive reform. Most importantly, we need leadership reform and a new orientation about public service.”
As the country approaches the anniversary of the protest, the mood among citizens and activists is one of frustration, with growing calls for renewed action.
