Inspired by the recent youth-led protests in Kenya, Nigerian youth are mobilizing for a ten-day nationwide protest against the government of President Bola Tinubu. These protests, planned to commence on August 1, 2024, are being organized under the hashtags #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria2024 and #EndBadGovernance2024. Social media platforms have become the primary tool for rallying support, with the youth calling for significant changes in governance. They accuse President Tinubu's administration of crippling the economy and perpetuating bad governance.
One of the primary concerns of the protesters is over-taxation. They argue that excessive taxation burdens citizens while much of the collected revenue is lost to corruption. In addition to addressing taxation issues, the protesters demand an inquiry into claims of electoral fraud, with some even calling for President Tinubu's resignation. They are also advocating for economic reforms, including measures to tame inflation, reduce salaries of public and state officers, and lower electricity and fuel costs.
Judicial reforms are another key demand of the protesters. They seek to ensure that the judiciary operates independently and impartially. The youth are also calling for the reopening of national borders and making the country’s electoral body fully independent to guarantee fair and transparent elections. These demands reflect a broader desire for accountability and effective governance.
The Nigerian youth have drawn inspiration from the successful protests in Kenya, where a youth-led movement led to President William Ruto rejecting the Finance Bill 2024. The Kenyan protests, organized primarily on social media without a central leadership figure, demonstrated the power of collective action in effecting governmental change. Following these protests, President Ruto announced several reforms, including withdrawing funding from the Office of the First Lady, the Office of the Spouse of the Deputy President, and the Office of the Spouse of the Prime Cabinet Secretary. He also reduced the number of advisors in his administration by 50% and shelved plans to hire Chief Administrative Secretaries.
Posters circulating online indicate that the Nigerian protests will run for ten consecutive days, from August 1 to August 10, 2024. The organizers aim to draw widespread participation by emphasizing collective disillusionment and the urgent need for change. The upcoming protests reflect a growing trend of youth activism in Africa, driven by social media's ability to mobilize and amplify voices against perceived injustices and inefficiencies in governance. This movement highlights the power of digital platforms in uniting people for a common cause and demanding accountability from their leaders.