EndBadGovernanceInNigeria: An In-Depth Look at Why Nigerians Are Protesting

Although the momentum of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest that began on August 1 has waned after President Bola Tinubu’s Sunday address, the reasons Nigerians took to the streets deserve a closer look.

Nigeria, often prided as Africa’s giant, has lost several attributes that earned it that title as the country faces what many describe as one of its worst economic challenges in recent times.

Once known for having the largest economy and being the largest oil producer, Nigeria was often depicted as the leader of the African continent. Although it still holds the position of Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria has now slumped to the fourth-largest economy in the continent and has ceded its place as the largest oil producer to Algeria.

This has resulted in significant economic costs, necessitating the hunger protest that is still ongoing in part, despite increased efforts by the government to quell the demonstrations.

Here are four core issues that sparked the EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest:

Nigerians Are Experiencing High Cost of Living

Between May 2023, when President Tinubu assumed office, and July 2024, Nigerians have grappled with a soaring high cost of living as inflation skyrocketed to a 30-year high.

While inflation was 22.41 percent in May of last year, it has increased to a record 34.19 percent, making most essential goods necessary for everyday living out of reach for many Nigerians. Food inflation has witnessed the worst rise, now estimated at 40.87 percent according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

According to research by SBM Intelligence, a bag of rice, one of Nigeria’s most consumed foods, rose from N42,000 to over N75,000 in a 12-month period. Eggs, often considered the cheapest form of protein whose deficiency can cause kwashiorkor, have increased by over 150 percent, making them unaffordable for most homes.

Infact, a recent reports estimated that over 31 million Nigerians are experiencing what is described as acute hunger.

Naira Devaluation

Nigeria’s currency, the naira, has also witnessed its worst fall in decades, particularly due to Tinubu’s monetary policies. As part of his economic reforms, the President collapsed the multiple exchange rate, a move lauded by most international financial institutions but which has brought untold hardship to millions of Nigerians.

For the most part, Nigeria is still import-dependent, not only on petroleum products but also on goods like drugs and food. With the naira trading below N1500 to the dollar, the prices of most imported goods have gone through the roof, becoming largely unaffordable for the masses.

Millions of Nigerians are faced with Insecurity

Since 2009 when the Boko Haram insurgency entered the country, Nigeria has grappled with insecurity that has claimed thousands of lives and rendered many more homeless.

Although it is a plague that has transcended many administrations, there appear to be increased cases of insecurity since President Tinubu took charge.

One such attack that has left Nigerians questioning the government’s efforts to protect lives and property occurred on Christmas Eve. Gunmen, believed to be herdsmen, invaded remote villages in Plateau State on December 24, 2023, and killed over 140 people.

Across the country, from northern states ravaged by bandits to the southeast terrorized by the separatist group IPOB, millions of Nigerians do not feel safe.

A recent attack reminiscent of the days when Boko Haram employed suicide bombers occurred in Borno State when four teenage bombers detonated explosives during a wedding, a funeral, and at a hospital in Gwoza Local Government Area on June 29, 2024. Eighteen people reportedly lost their lives.

Incessant Fuel Scarcity

While Nigeria is blessed with abundant crude oil, the country has faced repeated fuel scarcity for decades, which disrupts business activities.

The occasional scarcity has witnessed increased occurrences this year. This includes the hike in petrol prices, which increased by 160 percent after President Bola Tinubu removed the fuel subsidy on his first day in office.

Despite that the protest, which was planned to last for 10 days, has waned, the core issues that brought about the demonstration still linger.