By Omar Bah
On Sunday, August 4th, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu called for suspending protests of a cost-of-living crisis, saying this would create an opportunity for dialogue. These were his first public comments since frustrated citizens took to the streets last week.
Amnesty International has said at least 13 people were killed in clashes with security forces on the first day of protests on Thursday. Police denied using excessive force and said seven people had died as of Saturday – four from an explosive device during a march in northeast Borno state, two who were hit by a car, and another who was shot by a guard when protesters looted a shop.
In a televised broadcast, Tinubu called for an ending violence in several states since the protests started, saying he was always open to dialogue. He assured Nigerians, especially our youth, that they are heard. He understands the pain and frustration that drive these protests and seeks to ensure that his government is committed to listening and addressing the concerns raised.
Nigerians have been mobilizing online to organize protests economic hardship and bad governance. Among other demands, they have called for a cut in petrol prices and electricity tariffs.
Tinubu, in office since May 2023, defended his economic reforms, which have included a partial end to petrol and electricity subsidies and devaluation of the naira, as necessary to reverse years of financial mismanagement. The government revenues had more than doubled to 9.1 trillion naira ($5.65 billion) in the first half of this year, while 68% of revenue now went to debt servicing, down from 97% before he took office in May last year. The president said the government was also ramping up spending on infrastructure projects, started a loan scheme for university students, and was building thousands of housing units across Nigeria’s 36 states.
