Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has emphasized the need for political action alongside protests to drive transformative reforms in Nigeria’s economy and governance.
Speaking at the 6th Technology New Media, Citizens, and Governance Conference (TNCG) on Thursday, Osinbajo highlighted that while protests play a vital role in democratic engagement, they must be complemented by targeted actions that spur development. This year’s conference was themed “Technology as a Catalyst for Political Action in Africa.”
Nigeria has witnessed a wave of protests in recent years. In February 2024, the Nigeria Labour Congress staged demonstrations demanding a new minimum wage, while the #EndBadGovernance protests in August spanned 10 days, covering all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. These protests reflected citizens’ frustrations over economic hardship and policies perceived as unfavorable.
Osinbajo, however, urged citizens to channel their energies into actions that drive tangible change. He stated:
“Political action today must go beyond protests. We must see activities that directly catalyze development as important features of political action.
“Protests are crucial and important, but we must also allocate resources for direct action with development objectives. For instance, we can intervene in critical areas of human capital development, such as education or healthcare.”
Osinbajo’s remarks underscored the role of technology and strategic engagement in shaping a more inclusive and actionable political landscape across Africa.
