The president of Nigeria demands an end to the demonstrations over economic hardship

The president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, made his first public remarks since irate residents took to the streets last week, calling on Sunday for a halt to demonstrations against the rising cost of living. He said that doing so would open up a discussion channel.

According to Amnesty International, on Thursday, the first day of protests, at least 13 individuals died in altercations with security personnel.

while of Saturday, police denied using excessive force and said that seven people had died: two individuals were struck by cars, four people perished from an explosive device during a march in northeastern Borno state, and one person was shot by a guard while protestors ransacked a business.

In a televised address, Tinubu said that he was always up for conversation and demanded a halt to the violence that has been occurring in many states since the demonstrations began.

“My fellow Nigerians, I have heard you loud and clear, especially our young. He remarked, “I want to reassure you that our government is committed to listening to and addressing the concerns of our citizens. I understand the pain and frustration that motivate these protests.”

Nigerians have taken to the internet to mobilize demonstrations over economic hardship and poor administration. Among other things, they have demanded a reduction in the cost of gasoline and electricity.

In order to undo years of economic mismanagement, Tinubu, who has been in power since May 2023, justified his economic changes, which have included the partial elimination of gasoline and energy subsidies and the devaluation of the naira.

In the first half of this year, government income more than quadrupled to 9.1 trillion naira ($5.65 billion), with 68% of that amount going toward debt service—a decrease from 97% before to his election in May of last year.

According to the president, the government was also increasing its expenditure on infrastructure projects, launching a student loan program, and constructing thousands of homes throughout Nigeria’s 36 states.

“But we must not let violence and destruction tear our nation apart,” Tinubu stated.

$1 equals 1,610.9000 naira.