Nigeria fighting for high price of food and fuel

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday discussed the planned nationwide protest and resolved that there was no need for the protest, an official said.

Information Minister Mohammed Idris, who briefed journalists after the meeting, said, “It is the view of the government that there is really no need for the protests again because most of those things that the protesters are putting forward are already actually being addressed.”

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Mr Mohammed itemised actions the Tinubu administration has taken to reduce the negative impact of government policies on Nigerians. These include food distribution, implementation of student loans, and sale of food at subsidised prices.

Young Nigerians had fixed 1 August to commence a 10-day nationwide protest to demand 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 last year announced the removal of petrol subsidies and the floating of the naira.

In his speech on Monday, Mr Idris also restated the government’s belief that the protest could be hijacked by persons who want to cause anarchy in the system.