The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Lagos has confirmed it will proceed with protests, according to state chairperson, Agnes Sessi.
Speaking to VeonewsNG, Sessi said, ‘We would gather under the bridge in Ikeja as early as 6:30am to protest against the rising cost of food, transportation and general cost of living.
“The police would be there to protect us but we would not be frightened to stop the protest.”
Nigeria’s cost-of-living crisis worsened since independence in 1960. Bread cost just 1 Naira in the 1990s, 15 Naira in early 2000s, and now sells for 250-300 Naira.
Cement prices jumped from 5,600 per bag in January 2023 to 12,000 in February 2024.
In their album “These Buhari Times,” Rap group Show Dem Camp said 2019 flight prices to the US could only get them to Ghana then. In 2024, they “refuse to release an album on the economy under President Tinubu due to frustration.”
These have been worsened by President Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidies – which has impacted living costs significantly.
Given this, Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero issued a 14-day ultimatum for the government to fulfill terms of an October 2023 MOU and tackle the cost-of-living crisis, or face protests.
While some Nigerians declined to comment when contacted by VeoNewsng, others urged NLC to give the Tinubu administration more time.
“NLC should backdown and allow this government’s policies to take effect,” one anonymous Nigerian told VeoNewsNG. “Nothing good comes easily without initially pain.”
But another supporter backed protests, arguing that even the middle class is struggling.
One An indifferent fuel seller named Audu felt protests might not spur government action.
“Protests may not force serious government action, because most times they anticipate the protests before taking these decisions.”
Though Tinubu warned of initial pain before gain, Nigerians are running out of patience for visible impact, especially on food and transport expenses.
