“In Nigeria, many protests start with energy but fizzle out due to a lack of direction. The government, knowing this, simply waits for protesters to get tired and disperse”.
BY LISA BASSEY
“Nigeria, my beloved country
working together is the key
Nigeria, my beloved country
Her future is you and me. “
Every time I remember the song ‘Nigeria, my beloved Country’ by Funmi Adams, it evokes feelings of sadness and despair. Gone is the nationalist and patriotic spirit that was so prevalent in the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and even early 90s. Things have gotten so bad that many activists have given up on Nigeria.
Nigeria, our land of resilience, hope, and immense potential, the great giant of Africa, seem to have fallen flat on her face like a pack of cards. I noticed that despite the passion and sacrifice, most protests in our country fail to bring lasting and needed change. This includes the #EndSARS movement, labour strikes, fuel subsidy, inflation, high cost of living protests, and electoral demonstrations.
Why?
The Nigerian Mindset: Survival Over Revolution
The average Nigerian is in a daily battle for survival. With inflation skyrocketing, job scarcity, and economic hardship at an all-time high, most people can not afford to dedicate themselves fully to a protest. A taxi driver in Lagos may sympathize with the cause but can not afford to park his car for too long because he has a family to feed. A market woman in Kano may be angry at government policies but will prioritize selling her goods over joining a protest. Many Nigerians, conditioned by years of suffering, have developed a “we move” mentality, adjusting to every hardship rather than fighting to change it.
Corruption: A Poison That Kills Every Protest
Protests require strong leadership, organization, and funding. However, in Nigeria, many protests are infiltrated and compromised by corrupt influences. Politicians and powerful figures often identify key protest leaders and buy them off. Once a leader is bribed, the movement crumbles from within. History has shown that many supposed “activists” suddenly become silent or change their stance after a private meeting with those in power. Once money changes hands, the movement loses momentum, and the people feel betrayed.
Divide and Rule: Using Citizens Against Themselves
Nigerian politicians are masters of the divide-and-rule strategy. They exploit ethnic, religious, and regional differences to weaken protests. A protest that starts as a national movement is soon labelled as a “Igbo agenda” or a “northern plot.” A demonstration against bad governance is repainted as an attack on a particular political party, making it easy to turn citizens against one another.
A classic example is the #EndSARS protest. While many Nigerians were united in their call to end police brutality, government-backed elements infiltrated the protests, labelling them as an anti-government agenda. Soon, paid thugs attacked peaceful protesters, creating chaos and forcing many to retreat. The government then used this confusion to justify a violent crackdown.
Anti-Protests: A Tool to Weaken Genuine Resistance
Another tactic used to weaken protests is the organization of counter-protests. Government-sponsored groups suddenly appear, staging rallies in support of the very policies the people are protesting against. Imagine a group of students demanding better university funding, only to see another group of students—well-dressed, holding banners, and chanting praises of the government—countering them. The goal is to create the illusion that not all Nigerians are suffering, making the protest seem like the agenda of a few disgruntled elements.
Poverty and Hunger: Weapons Against the People
A hungry man cannot fight. Poverty is one of the strongest tools used to suppress protests in Nigeria. The government knows that most citizens live hand-to-mouth. During protests, security forces often use hunger as a weapon. A prolonged demonstration means protesters must find food, shelter, and security. When resources run out, people go back home.
Those in power distribute money, food, and small favours to weaken the protest spirit. A protest that starts with 10,000 people may end with only 500 because many have been bribed with as little as a bag of rice or a few thousand naira.
Violence and Fear: Crushing the People’s Will
Fear is a powerful tool. The government and security agencies have repeatedly used excessive force to crush protests. The Lekki Toll Gate Massacre during the #EndSARS movement is a painful reminder that speaking out against injustice can cost one’s life. When peaceful protesters are met with tear gas, bullets, and arrests, many Nigerians choose silence over resistance.
Security forces also deliberately plant troublemakers in protests to turn peaceful demonstrations into violent riots. Once violence erupts, the government declares the protest unlawful and moves in with force, destroying whatever momentum the movement had.
Lack of Strategic Leadership and Follow-Through
While Nigerians are passionate about protests, many movements lack strategic planning and leadership. A successful protest must have clear demands, negotiation strategies, and a plan for sustaining pressure. In Nigeria, many protests start with energy but fizzle out due to a lack of direction. The government, knowing this, simply waits for protesters to get tired and disperse.
It is the sad reality, and if nothing is done, Nigeria will sink into dictatorship where the will of the people is crushed and their voices are forever silenced. I weep for Nigeria, my beloved country.
…Lisa Bassey a political analyst, writer, and author is based in Abuja.
