Top 10 Major Protests in Nigeria’s History

Top 10 Major Protests in Nigeria’s History

From time immemorial, citizens and government have always been at odds, constantly at loggerheads over policies that impact the lives of Nigerians. The people have consistently voiced their discontent, making demands for the government to rethink and refine its policies to better align with the needs and aspirations of the people.

More famously, citizens echo their lack of satisfaction through protests, a medium to force the hands of authority into compromise.

With the planned #EndBadGovernance protest scheduled to commence in the next 24 hours, it is timely to explore the archives of history and unearth some of the major protests that have shaped Nigeria’s history. Top ten of these protests include:

1. Aba Women’s Riot – 1929

The Aba women’s riot of 1929 is one of the historic protests in the country. The protest was championed by women in the provinces of Calabar and Owerri in the old eastern region during the British colonial era. It was the first major revolt by women in West Africa.

They protested against the tax policy imposed by British colonial administrators in eastern Nigeria. The protest led by the women resulted in the British colonial administrators backing off in their plans to impose a tax on the market women and to curb the power of the warrant chiefs.

In 1930, the colonial government abolished the system of warrant chiefs and appointed women into the Native Court system.

2. Enugu Coal Miners’ Strike – 1949

In November 1949, striking miners at the Enugu colliery in Nigeria were shot dead by British government forces, resulting in 21 fatalities and 51 injuries. The miners were protesting unpaid wages and poor working conditions.

The strike was sparked by the British government’s refusal to pay miners for a period of casualisation known as “rostering,” which was later declared illegal. The miners, many of whom were veterans of World War II, occupied the mine to prevent a repeat of the lock-out they had suffered during the 1945 general strike.

Tensions escalated when police and troops were sent to remove explosives from the mine, leading to a confrontation with the miners. The situation turned deadly when a British policeman, Captain F.S. Phillip, panicked and opened fire on the miners, killing several and sparking a wave of violence.

The massacre had far-reaching consequences, uniting Nigerians across ethnic and class divisions in their opposition to British rule. The event marked a turning point in the country’s struggle for independence, with the radicals and moderates coming together to demand an end to British colonialism.

3. Ali Must Go – 1978

Also called Students’ Crisis, the Ali Must Go Protest, thought to be one of the bloody agitations, was orchestrated by angry students of tertiary institutions in 1978 following an increase in fees.

This was during General Olusegun Obasanjo’s military regime when Dr. Jibril Aminu, the then Secretary of the Nigerian University Commission (NUC) made the announcement citing the ‘high cost of living in the country’ as the reason for the increment.

Colonel Ahmadu Ali was then the Federal Commissioner for Education who was said to be behind the increment in fees that angered the students.

4. Anti-SAP Riots – 1989

The Anti-SAP (Structural Adjustment Programme) protests occured between May and June 1989. It was in response to SAP introduced by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as a government policy in 1986, as a means of stopping the effects of falling oil prices and fostering the development of local industries.

In 1988 however, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) disclosed an increase in the cost of petroleum products which resulted in a concurrent increase in food prices and transportation costs after which the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) listed 10 demands from the government and issued a six-week ultimatum.

The demands included the abolition of SAP and examination fees, increased education funding, and removal of security agents patrolling universities. Others include free healthcare for the elderly, women and all Nigerians up to the age of 18, the reopening of universities and the provision of free education up to secondary level. At the expiration of the ultimatum, the students resolved to protest.

5. June 12 – 1993

On June 12, 1993, Nigeria held its first presidential election since the 1983 military coup that toppled the Second Republic, marking a significant milestone in the country’s transition towards democracy. The elections were the result of a transitional process towards civilian rule, initiated by military leader Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB)

Although the National Electoral Commission did not officially declare the outcome, it was speculated that Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) won. However, in a controversial move, Babangida nullified the election results, citing allegations of electoral malfeasance, and no official winner was declared.

This annulment sparked widespread protests and plunged the country into political chaos, ultimately leading to IBB’s resignation after which the nation transitioned to an interim civilian government that was overthrown by General Sani Abacha.

6. One Million-man March – 1998

Political gladiators, professionals from different backgrounds, including artistes of all shades and acolytes of Abacha, led by Daniel Kanu, from March 3 to 4, 1998 organised a one million-man march in Abuja in support of Abacha’s plan to become civilian president in October, 1998.

It was arguably one of the largest gatherings in history of Nigeria.

7. Five Million-man March – 1998

A five million-man march was organised in the heart of Lagos to counter the one million-man march and call for the end of the Abacha junta. The protest was organised by the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), a pro-democracy group, which demanded an end to military rule and the restoration of democracy in Nigeria.

8. Occupy Nigeria – 2012

This sociopolitical demonstration occurred when the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s administration announced the removal of fuel subsidy in January, 2012.

Occupy Nigeria was characterised by a range of activities, including civil disobedience, nonviolent resistance, work stoppages, public demonstrations, and online advocacy until a compromise on partial subsidy removal was reached between the government and Nigerians.

9. RevolutionNow – 2019

The RevolutionNow protest was a nationwide demonstration held in Nigeria on August 5, 2019, and subsequent days. The protest was organised by a coalition of civil society groups, activists, and opposition parties.

The RevolutionNow movement was led by Omoleye Sowore but the protest was marked by his arrest and detention by the Department of Security Service (DSS). Protesters demanded improved governance, an end to corruption, economic reforms, protection of human rights, and free and fair elections. Despite being largely peaceful, many protesters where arrested and detained.

The movement’s demands was divided into three phases, each addressing specific issues. The first phase focuses on ending anti-people economic policies, ending special privileges for the ruling class, and lastly, it sought to return political power and national wealth to the working people, including the repossession of stolen national resources, seizure of private wealth accumulated by public officials, and socialisation of land.

10. EndSARS Protest – 2020

The 2020 EndSARS protest still lives fresh in the minds of Nigerians. This happened during the Presidency of Muhammadu Buhari. It was a call for disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigerian Police known for its extensive record of abuse and brutality against Nigerian citizens.

On October 11, 2020, the Nigerian Police Force announced the dissolution of the SARS unit with immediate effect.

This didn’t deter the protesters who converged on the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos. The protests reached a crescendo on October 20 when men of the Nigerian Army stormed the Toll Gate and opened fire on the protesters. Organisers claimed tens of lives were lost but the Nigerian government has continuous denied this allegation.