The Federal Executive Council (CEF) discussed the planned nationwide protest on Monday and decided it was not necessary, an official said.
Information Minister Mohammed Idris, who briefed reporters after the meeting, said: “The government is of the view that there is really no need for protests again because most of the things that the protesters are raising are already being addressed.”
Mr. Mohammed detailed the measures that the Tinubu administration has taken to reduce the negative impact of government policies on Nigerians, including food distribution, the implementation of student loans and the sale of food at subsidized prices.
Nigerian youth had set August 1 as the date for a 10-day nationwide protest to demand a reversal of some government policies that have led Nigeria to its worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
Food prices have more than doubled since President Tinubu announced the removal of petrol subsidies and the floating of the naira last year.
In his speech on Monday, Mr Idris also reiterated the government's belief that the protest could be hijacked by people who want to cause anarchy in the system.
Read below the full transcript of the Minister's address to journalists.
Article page with promotion of financial support
Yes, it was raised. And the FEC's position is that most of the demands that the protesters are making are being addressed by the federal government and therefore the government's view is that there is really no need for protests again because most of the things that the protesters are raising are already being addressed or are being addressed by the government and as we have said repeatedly, this is a listening government. The president has heard the voices of all of those who are planning this protest. And the message is that there is no need for it.
In fact, the president is already protesting on their behalf by doing the things they want the government to do. For example, the effort the government is making to ensure that food is made available. At the last council meeting, here at the briefing, we announced that a number of trucks, 20 exactly, had been given to the state governors to distribute to those who really need it, the poorest of the poor in the society and those who really need it. But the government did not stop. There is also rice that is sold at about 50 percent of its cost, a bag of rice is being sold right now. This rice has been taken to various centres in all the states of the federation and is sold at N40,000. Centres have been set up so that those who need this rice can go there and buy it at N40,000.
First of all, about 10 trucks have been made available to each of these states, and this is really just the beginning. I know that some of the comments that you hear are that it is never enough. The Government has not pretended that these supplies are really sufficient, but these are the first necessary steps that are being taken and more such interventions are being made in the meantime. Of course, this is, as I said, an interim measure because a lot of investments are being made in the agricultural sector and the rainy season is here. We hope that food prices will come down as investments are also being made not only in traditional agricultural products but also in irrigation activities in many of these states of the federation. So we hope that as we move forward, food prices, basic commodities, of course, will come down.
These are some of the measures and the President believes, and the Federal Executive Council believes, that some of the answers that some of the young people who want to protest are seeking are already being provided. For example, the federal government recently began disbursing student loans. There is already provision for more than 2 million students.
As of last week, only about 110,000 applications had been received, but of course more will be received. So there are enough resources for all those who qualify, who can access these loans and who have fulfilled this condition. The wish of the President is that no student, no young person who has managed to gain admission to any of our higher education institutions, should be left out because their parents or guardian cannot pay their fees.
But beyond that, there is also the provision that is being made for these young people. We are aware of the efforts being made to ensure that some 3 million of them are given employment through the MTT programme. There is also the planned reduction for the general public when the federal government's CNG initiative really reaches its full development.
Some of these buses have already been imported and some of the conversion kits are already available. Conversion centres are already starting to come on stream. The delays are largely due to the fact that you cannot go to the market and buy these items off the shelves. You have to go through the procurement processes first and of course then you have to order and it is anticipated that as we transition from fossil fuels to renewables there will be a reduction of over 60 per cent in the cost that people spend on transport. If you have a car, it is anticipated that you will spend around 60 per cent less and that money will go back into your pocket, but the emphasis at the beginning will be on commercial buses, for public transport, so that workers, especially, and those who commute, will have a reduction in the fares that they pay. Now this, in combination with so many other things that the Government is doing, is once again asking those who intend to embark on this protest to think again. There is simply no need for that.
Of course, it is the democratic right of every Nigerian to engage in peaceful protest, and the government is not opposed to that. But what the government is doing is ensuring that while there is this right to protest, your right will also end where someone else's right begins. So, while you are thinking of protesting, the government is asking you to first put it aside, because there is a strong possibility that this protest could be hijacked and turn violent by unscrupulous elements, and Nigeria will not be good at that. Of course, we know that people are saying that there is no intention of violence in this, but our history has shown that there is a possibility that this protest could be hijacked and turn violent.
Once again, before opening the floor for questions, I want to once again call on the Federal Government to ensure that the Government strives to meet the demands of Nigerians in various areas such as healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure provision, ensuring that our youth go to school and that they are able to secure employment when they finish their studies and even before they do so.
The social security system is being implemented so that no one is left behind. Of course, all this takes time until the circle is complete, but this is how it is: please, there is no need for this protest.