Renowned Professor of History and African Studies Toyin Falola has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for failing to address the core issues that led to the #EndBadGovernance protests across Nigeria in early August. Falola, a professor at the University of Texas, made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Friday.
Falola noted that the protesters had given advance notice of their demonstrations, allowing the government time to prepare a response. Despite this, he said the administration missed an opportunity to address key grievances related to the high cost of living, soaring food prices, and the elimination of petrol subsidies.
The protests, which occurred between August 1 and 10, were driven by frustration over economic hardships and called for a reversal of petrol subsidy cuts. On August 4, 2024, President Tinubu rejected demands to reinstate the subsidies.
Falola criticized the President’s response to the protests, highlighting that critical issues such as fuel subsidies, infrastructure, electricity, and security were not addressed. “When the President speaks, there’s no discussion on fuel subsidies, infrastructure, electricity, or security issues that fueled the protests,” Falola said.
He emphasized that the protests were not aimed at destabilizing the government but were a cry against severe economic conditions. “The protesters were not calling for a coup; they were expressing genuine hardship,” Falola explained. He expressed relief that the protests did not escalate into violence, such as the feared ethnic clashes in Lagos.
Falola warned that the real danger lies in spontaneous, unplanned protests that are harder to control, citing recent unrest in Bangladesh as an example. “The government should be more concerned about unexpected, uncontrollable protests,” he cautioned.
