Hamzat Lawal, a prominent anti-corruption activist and founder of Connected Development (CODE) and Follow The Money (FTM), recently addressed stakeholders at New Central, emphasizing the growing discontent among Nigerians due to economic hardship and poor governance.
Lawal’s remarks came amidst the backdrop of the “End Bad Governance” protests.
He noted that the recent protesters showed patriotism by announcing a specific date and time for their demonstrations. However, he cautioned that future protests may not follow such a predictable pattern. “I think the protesters came forward. I think they were patriotic to even give a date, and they gave a time. I bet you, the next protest that will happen will not have a date or a time,” he warned, referencing speculation about potential future protests, such as one rumored for October 1st.
Lawal highlighted the severe economic challenges faced by ordinary Nigerians. He explained that the cost of living has skyrocketed, making it difficult for people to survive even with higher incomes. “If you have a car, twelve thousand naira would fill your tank before. If you earned eighteen thousand naira, five thousand naira would cover your public transportation needs, regardless of where you are in the country. Today, even thirty thousand naira is not enough for public transportation,” he said.
Lawal emphasized the need for unity and action but stressed that these efforts must be informed by knowledge and information. He questioned the allocation of funds, particularly in the context of the recent removal of fuel subsidies. “They said they removed the subsidy and allocated three trillion naira from the last FEC meeting, but where is the money? We cannot feel the impact of these savings. Children are still dropping out of school,” he pointed out. Family can not afford three thousand naira. He called on Nigerians to rise up instead of keeping qiuet says Nigeria is ta the verge
Lawal’s comments underscore the urgency of addressing corruption and ensuring transparency in government spending to alleviate the suffering of the Nigerian people. His advocacy for social accountability and grassroots engagement continues to be a critical voice in the push for better governance in Nigeria.
