Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu called on Sunday for a suspension of protests against the cost of living crisis, urging that it would create an opportunity for dialogue. This marked his first public comments since frustrated citizens took to the streets last week.
Amnesty International reported that at least 13 people were killed in clashes with security forces on the first day of protests on Thursday. However, the police denied using excessive force and reported that seven people had died as of Saturday.
Among the casualties, four were killed by an explosive device during a march in northeast Borno state, two were hit by a car, and another was shot by a guard when protesters looted a shop.
In a televised broadcast, Tinubu called for an end to violence in several states since the protests started, saying he was always open for dialogue.
“My dear Nigerians, especially our youth, I have heard you loud and clear. I understand the pain and frustration that drive these protests, and I want to assure you that our government is committed to listening and addressing the concerns of our citizens,” he said.
Nigerians have been mobilizing online to organize protests against economic hardship and bad governance, calling for reductions in petrol prices and electricity tariffs, among other demands.
President Bola Tinubu, who has been in office since May 2023, defended his economic reforms, which include partially ending petrol and electricity subsidies and devaluing the naira, as necessary measures to reverse years of economic mismanagement.
He noted that government revenues had more than doubled to 9.1 trillion naira ($5.65 billion) in the first half of this year, with 68% of revenue now going to debt servicing, down from 97% before he took office in May last year.
Tinubu highlighted that the government is increasing spending on infrastructure projects, has started a loan scheme for university students, and is building thousands of housing units across Nigeria’s 36 states. “But we must not let violence and destruction tear our nation apart,” he said.
($1 = 1,610.9000 naira)
