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Hunger Protests Paralyse Commercial Activities In Lagos, Rivers, Kaduna, Others
Nationwide protests against hunger and bad governance erupted across Nigeria, yesterday, as citizens vent their frustration over the country’s prevailing economic hardship.
While many demonstrations were peaceful, pockets of violence were reported in various regions as the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest entered Day One, yesterday.
The nationwide protest, which aims to address various socio-economic grievances, brought economic activities in Lagos, Rivers, Kaduna, Kano and many other States to a near standstill.
In Lagos State, traders observed their weekly sanitation exercise which is held every Thursday and ends by 10 am.
In what coincided with the commencement of the protest, the usually bustling markets in the state remained shut after the exercise.
Major markets in Ikotun, Egbeda, Iyana Ipaja, Dopemu, and Akowonjo, Ayobo were all shut.
There was also a similar sight in the Ikeja and Agege and Ojota areas of the state.
A few traders were however seen loitering around the market areas, anticipating the turn of events, while some residents were seen clustered around their communities, discussing the developments.
Banks and filling stations were also closed down in these areas.
Meanwhile, heavy security presence was sighted along these areas as they were seen manning strategic locations.
The protest tagged, “Days of Rage” would hold nationwide from August 1 to 10.
In Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, a large number of protesters converged opposite the Federal Secretariat, Port Harcourt as early as 9am. They, thereafter, marched to the Government House, Port Harcourt, where the State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, addressed them.
While addressing the protesters in front of Government House, Fubara said, “I thank you for being peaceful. I thank you for coming. I feel your pain. I want to assure you that I will deliver your message to the President.
“Here in Rivers State, we will do everything to make life better. But all we need from you is to support the Federal Government. We know there is hunger but just be patient with the government.”
Some of the protesters who spoke to newsmen called on President Bola Tinubu to address the grievances of the protesters.
They decried the excruciating hardship in the country and called for a return to the fuel subsidy regime.
The police were also seen at strategic locations across the city.
Major streets in Port Harcourt were deserted due to the protest.
The popular Oil Mill market was deserted while others areas such as First and Second Artillery witnessed low activities. Similarly low activities were witnessed at the popular Mile One market.
Our correspondent who moved round the city also observed that most commercial enterprises such as banks and filling stations were shut, while a handful of civil servants turned up for work at the state Secretariat.
Major roads such as the Aba-Port Harcourt Express Road witnessed low traffic as few commercial and private vehicles were seen on the road.
At Artillery, some protesters were seen displaying the Nigerian flag.
There was, however, a twist to the protest when some Keke drivers at the Location Junction in Port Harcourt blocked the road and brought out N200 and N100 notes and teared them to show the worthlessness of the Nigerian currency.
In Kaduna, the protests which began peacefully around the popular NEPA roundabout in the metropolis, turned violent as the protesters attempted to force themselves into the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House.
But the protesters vandalised government property including the office of the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Agency along the Sokoto Road in the heart of the state.
Part of the office was burnt while furniture and some property in the office were carted away leading to the arrest of 25 protesters
The Kaduna State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, ASP, said those arrested attempted to hijack a peaceful protest.
According to the spokesman, the protesters had been instructed to submit their details to ensure a peaceful demonstration.
“However, some elements within the group defied this directive and turned violent, attempting to breach the Government House and damaging a police armoured vehicle,” he said.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Sani Kila, who visited the scene said, “We have gone round the state and all is calm.”
He also denied the imposition of a 24-hour-curfew in the state as reported by some media.
In Kano State, hoodlums looted the newly built Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) Industrial Park just days before its scheduled launch.
The Digital Innovation Park, designed to support Nigeria’s technical talent accelerator program (3MTT), was reportedly set ablaze and looted during the protests.
Photos circulating online show youths leaving the scene with looted items, including computers, furniture, and electronics.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, who confirmed the incident, lamented the destruction of the technology hub.
“Sad to learn that our Digital Innovation Park in Kano slated for launch next week to support our technical talent accelerator (3MTT) has been set ablaze and looted by protesters,” Tijani stated in a post via X, yesterday.
Tijani highlighted the immediate impact of this destruction on the planned initiatives.
“Alongside #3MTT, this building is set to host our buildathon holiday maker programme for secondary school kids starting next week,” he added.
The minister characterised the damage as a setback for the journey to deepening the workforce for technology and creating job opportunities for the youth.
“Millions of Naira down the drain,” Tijani lamented.
In Calabar, Cross River State, several journalists and activists were beaten, handcuffed, and taken by security agents to unknown locations in the State.
The Managing Editor of an online newspaper, CrossRiverWatch, Mr Jonathan Ugbal, was among the arrested journalists.
It was gathered that they were taken by security personnel, along with other activists who engaged in a peaceful protest to an undisclosed location.
The journalists were following some activists around the popular Mary Slessor Roundabout in Calabar, where a handful of protesters had gathered to commence the 10-day nationwide protest.
While monitoring the protest, Ugbal had allegedly posted a video in the morning showing that the surrounding roads to the Mary Slessor Roundabout were deserted.
In a rare display of youthful activism, children aged 8-13 and youths took to the streets of Jalingo in Taraba State to protest the prevailing hardships.
The children chanted, “Bamu ai, bamu ai,” which translates to “We don’t agree, we don’t agree,” to draw attention to the challenges they are going through.
The protest began on the popular Hamaruwa Way and proceeded towards the flyover bridge, a notable landmark in the city.
The participants, primarily children and teenagers, were vocal about their grievances, demanding immediate action to alleviate their suffering.
The protesters were closely monitored by personnel from the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
However, the nationwide protest suffered a setback in the South East as Igbos shunned the hunger protest. Instead, they opted for a sit-at-home
In Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo and Enugu States, many residents stayed indoors as there was no unusual assembly of people and protests, even though some shops were closed, including banks.
The boycott was in compliance with the directives of the Pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, that the South East should stay away from the protests.
In Enugu State, for instance, residents observed the nationwide anti-hardship and misgovernance protest through sit-at-home.
The Tide source who went round the state capital reports that economic and social activities were paralysed as residents deserted roads.
Shops, petrol stations, malls, and event centres were completely shut down as of 10.am.
Although entrance gates of major markets in Enugu such as Ogbete Main Market, New Market, Abakpa Market, and Emene Market were thrown open, there was nobody in those markets.
At ShopRite and SPAR Market, only security operatives were seen moving around.
At Okpara Square, only fierce-looking soldiers and policemen were seen occupying the entrance and road leading into the square.
While the gate of Enugu State High Court was open, no worker was inside except two security men at the entrance gate. At the Federal High Court, the gate was under lock and key.
Commending the Igbo people worldwide for their steadfast support and adherence to the decision to abstain from the nationwide protests, the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, in a statement yesterday, said, “We, the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, wish to express our profound gratitude to all Igbos at home and in the diaspora for their unwavering commitment to the decision to boycott the nationwide protests.
“The South East region has shown remarkable unity and resilience in standing against external pressures and manipulations aimed at using the Igbo as sacrificial lambs for selfish political agenda.
“The South-East’s total compliance with the directive to abstain from the protests is a testament to the newfound sense of unity and determination among Ndigbo to put an end to the systematic manipulation and exploitation by certain unpatriotic elements and privileged elite.”
However, top government personalities, groups, and religious bodies, including the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Muslim Student Society of Nigeria (Lagos chapter), and the Muslim Rights Concern, and several other stakeholders in the country have called for the cancellation of the protest, citing a palpable fear that it might be hijacked by infiltrators who do not mean well for the country.
Boye Salau & John Bibor
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.