A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) under the #EndBadGovernance Movement has declared October 1, 2024, a ‘National Day of Survival’ to protest the worsening economic conditions in Nigeria.
The announcement was made at a press conference held at the International Press Centre in Lagos, where the group called for peaceful nationwide protests against policies they say are harming ordinary Nigerians.
Hassan Soweto, national coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), urged Nigerians to take to the streets to oppose what the movement describes as “anti-poor policies” of the current administration.
The statement was endorsed by several organisations, including the Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC), Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), Joint Action Front (JAF), and Pan-African Consciousness Renaissance (PACOR-Nigeria).
The movement criticises the government for not taking action after their August #EndBadGovernance protests. Their grievances include the hike in fuel prices, rising food costs, and high inflation, all of which they say have made life unbearable for many Nigerians.
They also accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of worsening poverty through policies that disproportionately affect the poor, causing unemployment and food insecurity.
“We invite the people of Nigeria to join us in peaceful protests against the government’s anti-poor policies,” said the statement, adding that none of their demands from the August protests had been met. Instead, they allege, President Tinubu has spent public funds on luxuries for himself and his family while ignoring the plight of the people.
Fuel prices, they claim, now range between N900 and N1900 per litre, compared to less than N200 per litre two years ago. This sharp increase has raised the cost of living and food prices, leaving many Nigerians struggling to survive. The new N70,000 minimum wage, they argue, is insufficient to ease the financial burden on workers.
The group also highlighted the closure of multinational firms and rising unemployment as further evidence of the country’s economic challenges. In response, they are demanding the reversal of the fuel price hike, a reduction in food prices, improved security, and the implementation of a N70,000 minimum wage across all sectors.
The movement is also calling for the release of protesters, journalists, and whistleblowers detained during previous demonstrations, and they have urged Nigerians to use October 1 to demand the protection of democratic rights and human dignity.
In Lagos, the protest is set to begin at Ikeja under the bridge at 7:30 am, with marchers expected to raise awareness about their demands. The group has called on the Lagos state police commissioner to ensure adequate security for the protest, as required under the Police Establishment Act 2020.
The CSOs have warned that if their demands are not addressed, further protests will follow after the ‘National Day of Survival’.
