Outraged residents of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, troop out at the front of the University of Ibadan on Wednesday to resume ongoing protest against widespread hunger and scarcity of essential commodities across the country.
The Protests reignited near the main gate of the prominent university, led primarily by young people and human rights advocates. The demonstrators held signs detailing their demands, aimed at drawing public attention to their grievances.
Solomon Emiola, a spokesperson for the protesters, spoke to reporters, explaining that the resurgence of protests was triggered by President Bola Tinubu’s recent national broadcast, which aired last Sunday. Emiola criticized the President’s address, claiming it failed to address the pressing concerns of Nigerians.
“We are protesting because the President did not respond to the needs of the Nigerian people,” Emiola stated.
“He focused on providing rice as a palliative measure, but this is not a solution. A bag of rice now costs ninety thousand naira, and many of us can’t even afford a single grain.” He added
Emiola highlighted the growing frustration among Nigerians over the rising cost of living, which has made basic necessities unaffordable. “I don’t even have any rice in my house, let alone a congo of rice. This is a clear sign that we are suffering.”
The spokesperson also pointed to the increasing challenges faced by students, who are unable to afford tuition fees that have surged above the minimum wage. “With tuition fees so high, how are we supposed to continue our education? There’s no employment, insecurity is rampant, and yet our president has shown no readiness to tackle these issues.”
The protesters demand more substantial actions from the government to address the economic hardships and social challenges plaguing the country.
