In response to escalating protests fueled by the economic crisis and rising cost of living, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state unveiled a series of measures on Thursday aimed at providing relief to residents.
Nigeria, grappling with an inflation rate exceeding 30%, has witnessed growing public frustration with the affordability of basic necessities like food. Many citizens, particularly those in poverty, have been forced to forego essential items like meat, eggs, and milk.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, addressing the concerns of his 20 million constituents in Lagos, announced a multi-pronged approach. This includes a three-day workweek for civil servants, a 25% reduction in public transportation fares, and the introduction of price competition in 42 Sunday markets. Additionally, 50,000 pregnant women will be exempt from healthcare charges annually.
These interventions follow calls for nationwide protests on February 27th and 28th issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). Demonstrations have already taken place in various cities, including Suleja, Minna, Kano, and Ibadan, where hundreds expressed anger towards President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership.
President Tinubu’s decision to end fuel subsidies and currency controls upon taking office last year resulted in a tripling of petrol prices and a weakened naira, significantly impacting living costs. Despite calls for patience as his reforms take effect, the measures have inflicted hardship on many Nigerians.
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s initiatives aim to provide immediate relief to Lagos residents struggling under the economic burden. Whether these measures will be enough to quell nationwide discontent remains to be seen, but they represent a tangible step towards addressing the urgent needs of the people.
