Protest Day 1: Nigerian Police Clash with Protesters in Abuja Amid Nationwide Demonstrations

On August 1, 2024, Nigerian police fired tear gas at protesters in the capital city of Abuja, as hundreds rallied against the escalating cost of living and governance issues. The protests, dubbed “10 Days of Rage,” took place across various Nigerian cities, with demonstrators expressing their discontent over government reforms that they claim have worsened the economic crisis in the country.

The protests in Abuja saw a significant police presence as authorities sought to prevent any potential violence. In Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, protesters marched towards the government house under the watchful eye of armed policemen, before proceeding to the two locations designated for the protest.

The demonstrations come at a time when Nigeria is facing its worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation, with frustration growing over the government’s economic policies and the devaluation of the local currency. The government of President Bola Tinubu has defended its efforts to ease the hardship, citing convoys of food trucks dispatched to the worst-hit states, cash support to families and businesses, and a new law that more than doubled the minimum pay of government workers.

However, these measures have not been sufficient to quell the growing discontent among the population. The frustration is particularly acute in northeastern Nigeria, where the world’s longest war on militancy has left 4.8 million people in dire need of food, according to the United Nation’s food agency.

The government’s economic reforms, including the suspension of decades-long and costly gas subsidies and measures by the country’s central bank, were supposed to save the government money and shore up dwindling foreign investments. However, these policies have also contributed to the soaring inflation and the devaluation of the naira, pushing the country’s citizens to the brink of economic despair.

As the “10 Days of Rage” protests continue, the Nigerian government will need to address the concerns of its citizens and find a way to alleviate the economic hardship that is gripping the nation. Failure to do so could lead to further unrest and instability in Africa’s most populous country.