Protesters gathered early Tuesday at Ikeja Underbridge in Lagos to voice their frustrations over Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges during the country’s 2024 Independence Day. Organized under the banner #FearlessOctober1, the demonstration took place under tight security, with a significant presence of law enforcement.
The scene was monitored by Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola, along with police officers, the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, and officials from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Protesters, chanting in solidarity, carried placards with bold messages such as “Reverse electricity tariff now,” “End attacks on democratic rights,” “Reduce petrol price to ₦197 per litre; end scarcity,” and “Profits rise, people suffer.” Civil society groups like the Take It Back Movement, Education Rights Campaign, Coalition for Revolution, and Socialist Workers League led the demonstration.
This protest follows a similar large-scale demonstration held just two months ago, as more Nigerians express their frustration over worsening economic conditions. Organizers explained that #FearlessOctober1 is a continuation of the #EndBadGovernance protests that took place in August.
The demonstration was fueled by the government’s failure to address critical issues, including increasing hunger, inflation, insecurity, wasteful spending, electoral reforms, and the urgent need for human capital development.
Protesters hope that their calls for change will be heard, pushing for action to alleviate the economic struggles faced by millions of Nigerians.
See photos from the protest:
