#FearlessInOctober Protest Begins In Lagos And Abuja Over High Cost Of Living [Video]

Thousands of Nigerians have gathered in Lagos and Abuja to protest against rising living costs and energy prices in Africa’s most populous country.

This is happening on the same day Nigeria is marking its 64th year of independence on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

Many Nigerians are proving that today is not a day of celebration, as they urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to address the escalating inflation and worsening economic conditions.

The protest, called “FearlessInOctober,” gained traction on social media, coming two months after the August #EndBadGovernance demonstrations.

Both protests had similar themes, with frustrated youths demanding the reinstatement of the petrol subsidy and a reduction in electricity tariffs.

In Abuja’s Utako district, protesters waved the Nigerian flag and held banners with slogans like “EndBadGovernance,” “DiasporaVoting,” and “EndHighLivingCosts.”

A similar scene unfolded in Lagos, particularly in Ikeja, where the youths blocked roads and brought traffic to a halt in protest, on a day declared a public holiday to celebrate Nigeria’s independence.

The demonstrators in Lagos carried banners with bold messages such as “Hunger Dey” and “Reverse Anti-People, Neoliberal Policies of Privatisation, Deregulation and Devaluation of Naira.”

Activist Omoyele Sowore was seen at the Lagos rally, preparing to lead a march to Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota to continue protesting the government’s policies.

In both Lagos and Abuja, security forces were present but kept a reasonable distance from the protesters.

Similar protests took place across several states, despite government and security agency warnings to avoid public demonstrations.

Watch the video below:

KanyiDaily recalls that in his Independence Day address, President Bola Tinubu acknowledged the hardships caused by his reforms, asking Nigerians for patience.