Written By Lisa Murimi
On Wednesday, July 24, Nigerian security authorities convened an emergency meeting in response to planned youth protests inspired by Kenya’s Gen Z movements.
The meeting, held behind closed doors, included key figures such as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, National Security Advisor (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, and other ministers.
The protests, scheduled for August 1 to August 10, stem from widespread dissatisfaction with economic hardships, high prices of basic commodities, and inadequate government measures to address these issues.
In the aftermath of the meeting, all federal ministers were directed to visit their respective states ahead of the protests. The officials suggested a national address by President Bola Tinubu to reassure the public.
Additionally, ministers were asked to compile and present their top three achievements from the past year to Nigerians.
Information Minister Mohammed Idris, who attended the emergency meeting, urged the youth to reconsider the planned protests.
He emphasized that the government is actively working to resolve economic challenges but requires more time and patience.
President Tinubu also appealed to the youth, asking them to await the government’s response to their demands.
The upcoming protests follow a wave of demonstrations in Kenya, where young people have been protesting against a controversial finance bill and corruption. These protests have inspired similar actions in Uganda and now Nigeria.
As the Nigerian government continues to engage with various stakeholders, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days.
