On Tuesday, police officers fired tear gas at protesters during the "Fearless in October" demonstration against bad governance in Abuja, Nigeria. The protesters, waving the Nigerian Green-White-Green flag and carrying banners with messages like "End Bad Governance," "Diaspora Voting," and "End High Living Costs," gathered in the Utako area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) before being dispersed by the police.

The October 1, 2024 protests, organized under the hashtag #FearlessInOctober, gained momentum on social media just two months after the August #EndBadGovernance protests. Both protests shared common themes, with frustrated young Nigerians demanding the reversal of the removal of fuel subsidies and the increase in electricity tariffs.

Critics have heavily criticized President Bola Tinubu’s policies, particularly the removal of petrol subsidies and the unification of foreign exchange rates, which are widely believed to have fueled soaring inflation and the steep rise in living costs. Since Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, energy prices have skyrocketed, with petrol prices per liter rising from around N200 to over N1,000, and electricity tariffs quadrupling, affecting both the manufacturing sector and ordinary Nigerians.

In his 64th Independence Day Anniversary address, President Tinubu appealed for more patience and understanding, acknowledging the economic hardships caused by his reforms. He assured Nigerians that his administration is working to alleviate the rising cost of living and is committed to implementing policies aimed at benefiting the common citizen.