The #EndBadGovernance (or anti-hunger) protests that began on August 1, 2024, have stirred up significant unrest in Nigeria. What started as a seemingly innocuous demonstration has escalated, resulting in considerable economic and social repercussions for the nation. While the protests in the southern states remained relatively peaceful, violence erupted in various parts of the North, leading to casualties in states like Niger, Borno, Kano, Jigawa, and Kaduna. To contain the widespread destruction of public and private property, some state governors have had to impose curfews. Particularly alarming was the call for a military takeover and the display of the Russian flag in certain cities in northern Nigeria.
With over three decades of involvement in media advocacy, I have consistently raised my voice against bad governance through articles in print and on broadcast platforms. My advocacy dates back to my undergraduate days at the University of Lagos, where I actively participated in campus activism, extending beyond the boundaries of the campus during critical events like the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election and the #OccupyNigeria protest in 2012.
I acknowledge the importance of a collective demand for reform and a better quality of life. Thus, I stand in support of the #EndBadGovernance protest, with a caveat that it remains peaceful and devoid of bloodshed. However, recent developments reveal infiltration by opportunists seeking personal and political gains amidst the legitimate demands for improved governance.
Calls have been made for President Bola Tinubu to address the nation and ease the growing tensions by responding to the demands for better governance. In his speech last Sunday, the President presented a comprehensive overview of the economic reforms implemented by his administration over the past 14 months. Tinubu’s address differed significantly from his previous speeches, containing detailed statistics and outlining various initiatives such as youth empowerment, agricultural reforms to mitigate food costs, the promotion of compressed natural gas for transportation, infrastructural development, adjustments to the minimum wage, and support schemes for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Despite discrepancies in opinions, Tinubu defended his decision to eliminate fuel subsidies and dismantle multiple foreign exchange systems, emphasizing the necessity to address longstanding economic challenges. While protestors demand a return to subsidized fuel prices, Tinubu highlighted the need for functional refineries like the Port Harcourt and Dangote refineries to reduce reliance on imported petroleum products and subsequently lower prices.
The President noted advancements in revenue generation and productivity, highlighting a reduction in debt servicing costs and the settlement of foreign exchange obligations. He also underscored progress in the oil and gas sectors, with increased production and renewed investor confidence, particularly in the Compressed Natural Gas Initiative to cut transportation costs and spur economic growth.
Tinubu detailed various government programs aimed at empowering different sectors of society, from students to small businesses, emphasizing financial support, job creation, and infrastructural development. He stressed the importance of boosting agriculture for food security and announced measures to stimulate local production by removing tariffs on essential commodities.
These ambitious initiatives, if effectively implemented, hold the potential to positively impact the economy, creating employment opportunities, reducing poverty, and alleviating hunger. It is imperative for civil society organizations and the media to establish technical committees to monitor the government’s progress, validating the President’s claims and ensuring transparency in governance.
X:@jideojong