Lagos protesters voice anger and despair over Nigeria's economic hardship: Video
Protesters in Lagos took to the streets on Tuesday, October 2, expressing their frustrations over Nigeria's worsening economic crisis.
Demonstrations across the country marked a "National Day of Survival," but turnout was low as the country grapples with its worst economic downturn in a generation.
Aina Agbeyangi, a 36-year-old mother of two, expressed her deep despair, sharing her experiences of the hardship millions of Nigerians are facing.
"How many sachets will I need to prepare food for my children, aged 14 and 16?" she lamented, holding up small portions of foodstuffs.
"I have nothing. I live in a house made of wood and pay 5,000 naira per month. I'm broke. During the #ENDSARS protests and even the COVID-19 pandemic, things weren't as bad as they are now. I've never seen it this bad in my life," she told the AFP.
Her voice quivered as she spoke of the desperation many feel. "For God's sake, have mercy on us. Some people are in such despair that they've taken poison. Some are dying in debt. I am in debt myself and can't ask for more help. I don’t want to resort to actions forbidden by God."
58-year-old keke (tricycle) driver, Kennedy Monokpo, also echoed similar sentiments about his despair in the economic hardship saying, "It's time for the government to stand up and see the anger in the people. We are not happy. As a tricycle driver, I fear nothing. If they want to take my life, they can take it, but the government must change the situation for Nigerians."
Bayo Ogunleye, a political activist, pointed to the irony of celebrating Nigeria's independence while millions suffer. "They say they're celebrating, but we are celebrating poverty, anger, hunger, and starvation. We are not happy with the system. We are telling the government to change the way Nigeria is run," he added.
Despite the rising discontent, rallies across the country struggled to gain momentum. In Abuja, police fired tear gas to disperse small crowds, and the overall turnout was lower than expected. These protests follow larger rallies in August, where, according to Amnesty International, security forces killed at least 21 demonstrators in a crackdown.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who came to power last year, has introduced reforms aimed at reviving the economy and attracting foreign investment. However, since the removal of a fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira, Nigerians have faced skyrocketing fuel prices and the highest inflation rate in three decades.
