Recent reports reveal plans for a nationwide protest in Nigeria from August 1 to 10, labeled “10 days of rage,” in response to rising living costs and economic challenges. Protest organizers are demanding a rollback of President Bola Tinubu’s recent policies, which they argue have exacerbated hardship.
Key demands include reinstating subsidies for petrol and education, lowering electricity tariffs, reducing import duties to pre-crisis levels, declaring an emergency on inflation, increasing government transparency, and cutting politicians’ salaries and allowances. They are also calling for judicial reforms.
In Nigeria, the spirit of protest has been as vital to our history as any political movement or figure. It’s about ordinary folks coming together, often in the face of overwhelming odds, to demand a fairer, just society.
These protests have also shaped the very fabric of our nation. Let’s look into some unforgettable protests that have left a lasting impact on Nigeria’s history.
1. Aba Women’s Riot – 1929
In 1929, thousands of women in southern Nigeria banded together to fight British colonialism. They were opposing an unfair tax plan that targeted women, resulting in the Aba Women’s Riot, also known as the Women’s War.
Using their customary practice of “sitting on a man”—which involves singing and dancing near colonial officials’ homes—the women demonstrated their power and togetherness.
Although the protest resulted in the tragic deaths of around 50 women, their fortitude compelled the colonial rulers to repeal the levy. This riot was more than just a protest; it was a groundbreaking war for dignity and equality.
2. The Enugu Coal Miners’ Strike 1949
Fast forward to 1949, in the coal-rich hills of Enugu, where miners were fed up with deplorable working conditions and low pay. Their walkout began as a straightforward demand for more wages, but became tragic when British police opened fire on unarmed miners, killing 21 and injuring 51.
This violent incident did more than just spotlight labor abuses; it sparked a widespread desire for independence, paving the path for Nigeria’s release from colonial authority in 1960.
3. Ali Must Go Protests – 1978
1978 marked a watershed moment in Nigerian student movement. When the government, commanded by General Olusegun Obasanjo, raised tuition rates and reduced student subsidies, it provoked a large student revolt known as the “Ali Must Go” rallies.
The students’ rallying cry was directed at the Education Minister, Colonel Ahmadu Ali, who became the face of government neglect. The clashes were severe, resulting in the deaths of several students and the closure of colleges around the country. The government had to reconsider its policy, demonstrating once again that Nigerian students were a force to be reckoned with.
4. Occupy Nigeria – 2012
Jump to January 2012, and Nigeria faced another critical juncture: the Occupy Nigeria movement. It erupted after the government cut fuel subsidies, leading petrol prices to soar overnight.
The protests, spearheaded by a combination of trade unions and ordinary individuals, effectively stopped major cities while highlighting deeper issues of corruption and economic mismanagement.
The demonstrators won a triumph and demonstrated the power of collective action when the administration was forced to reinstate some of the subsidies.
5. EndSARS Protests – 2020
In October 2020, the #EndSARS movement spread nationwide. It began as an internet protest against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a police force known for human rights abuses.
The movement swiftly grew into major public rallies, attracting thousands of young Nigerians who demanded not only the dissolution of SARS, but also sweeping police reform.
The government responded by disbanding the unit, but the peaceful protests turned tragic when soldiers allegedly opened fire on protesters at Lekki Toll Gate. This episode attracted global attention and became a symbol of Nigeria’s ongoing battle for justice and reform.
