Omoyele Sowore joins Independence Day protest in Lagos, calling for urgent reforms

Former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, joined a growing protest in Lagos today, as Nigerians marked the country’s 64th Independence anniversary.

Arriving at the protest site under Ikeja Underbridge around 8:50 a.m., Sowore, a key organizer of the demonstration, stood alongside other civil society groups to voice the grievances of many Nigerians.

The protest, held under the banner #FearlessOctober1, drew a large crowd of demonstrators expressing dissatisfaction with the current state of the nation. With Nigeria facing rising inflation, hunger, insecurity, and government inefficiencies, the protest aims to spotlight the deepening economic crisis.

The demonstration saw heavy security presence, with officers from the police force, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) closely monitoring the proceedings. Despite this, the atmosphere remained charged as participants, including groups like the Take It Back Movement, Education Rights Campaign, Coalition for Revolution, and Socialist Workers League, led the protest.

According to organizers, #FearlessOctober1 is an extension of the previous #EndBadGovernance protests, which took place between August 1 and 10. These demonstrations highlight the continued frustration over the government’s perceived failure to address pressing issues such as economic decline, electoral reforms, and human capital development.

This marks the second major protest in two months, signaling the growing unrest among Nigerians who demand more decisive action from their leaders. With the nation at a crossroads, many hope that these protests will push for the reforms needed to address the country’s deepening challenges.