Nigerian Govt Scrambles to Address Hunger Crisis as Protests Intensify

The Nigerian government is grappling with a surge of protests driven by widespread hunger and dissatisfaction with the country’s governance.

The protests began online in early 2024 and have rapidly gained momentum, with thousands of Nigerians taking to social media to demand better governance and improved living conditions. Despite the government’s recent announcement of a new minimum wage of N70,000 for workers, many citizens remain dissatisfied, criticizing the government’s efforts to address food security and governance issues.

The main street protests are set to begin on August 1st and will last for 10 days, according to anonymous organizers. Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), have been flooded with flyers and comments about the protest. The hashtag “#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria” has garnered significant traction, with over 500,000 mentions and a 3% engagement rate.

The planned street protests have highlighted Nigeria’s food security challenges, with many citizens struggling to access basic necessities like food and clean water. The country’s reliance on imported food has made the economy vulnerable to global price fluctuations. As of June 2024, Nigeria’s inflation rate was at a 28-year high of 34.19%, according to official data, marking the 19th consecutive month of rising inflation.

In response, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Olayemi Cardoso has pledged to take necessary measures to control inflation. Economists, like David Omojomolo from Capital Economics, believe inflation will start to decline, potentially falling below 30% by the end of the year.

The government’s reaction to the protests has been criticized as inadequate. Over the weekend, the presidency issued a stern warning to the protest organizers, identifying prominent individuals like former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and Pat Utomi as being allegedly involved. Presidential media adviser Bayo Onanuga labeled the protest calls as treasonous, leading to backlash from many Nigerians who accused the government of inciting violence to suppress peaceful demonstrations.

The hunger protests evoke memories of the #EndSARS movement of 2020, which began as a call to end police brutality and evolved into broader demands for good governance and accountability. The government’s response to #EndSARS was widely condemned, and many fear history may be repeating itself.

In the aftermath of #EndSARS, the government promised reforms and established a judicial panel to investigate police brutality. However, many of those promises remain unfulfilled, and the current protests serve as a stark reminder that underlying issues persist. As the standoff between the government and protesters continues, the Nigerian government faces mounting pressure to take meaningful action and address the concerns of its citizens.