Nigeria: Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Protest in Edo and Lagos against Economic Hardship
By Ahmad Hadizat Omayoza, Mamos Nigeria
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Edo State took to the streets of Benin City, the state capital, to voice their concerns over the economic hardship prevailing in Nigeria. Carrying placards with messages such as “End Economic Hardship” and “FG End the Hunger in Nigeria Now,” the members of these CSOs sought to highlight the dire economic situation faced by many Nigerians.
This protest in Edo State follows a similar demonstration by residents of Ibadan, who also expressed their discontent over the economic challenges confronting the nation.
In a separate event, a human rights group known as the “Take It Back Movement” staged a protest in Lagos State, decrying the skyrocketing prices of food and the general high cost of living in the country. Despite warnings from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, the protesters were determined to make their voices heard.
The Lagos protest coincides with the Nigeria Labour Congress’s (NLC) announcement of a nationwide protest scheduled for the following day. This protest is a response to the alleged failure of the government to implement agreements reached between the NLC and the Federal Government on October 2, 2023, following the removal of the fuel subsidy.
The NLC had issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address the widespread hardship experienced by Nigerians, and the protest is a culmination of this ultimatum.
These protests underscore the growing dissatisfaction among various segments of the population with the current economic situation in Nigeria and highlight the urgent need for the government to address the concerns raised by its citizens.
