In response to an impending nationwide protest scheduled for August 1, President Bola Tinubu has convened an urgent meeting for Wednesday morning to address the situation. The protest tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, has prompted the government to act swiftly.
Following his recent plea for protest organizers to delay their demonstrations, President Tinubu hopes to gain more time to implement initiatives aimed at benefiting the populace. A circular issued on Tuesday announced the meeting and invited all ministers, including Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume.
Key presidential advisers such as Hadiza Bala-Usman (Policy and Coordination), Bayo Onanuga (Information and Strategy), and former Minister of Youth and Sports Sunday Dare have also been summoned. The circular, titled “Planned Nationwide Protest” and dated July 23, 2024, was signed by Richard Pheelangwah, Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Affairs Office.
It states, “You are hereby invited to attend a meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation on the above subject scheduled for July 24, 2024, at 10 am, at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Conference Room. Attendance is mandatory.”
Tinubu had called on Nigerian youths to cancel their planned protest and await the government’s response to their grievances. Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, conveyed this message after meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
“Mr. President sees no need for the protest,” Idris stated. “He urges the youth to give the government more time to address their concerns. The President is serious about their grievances and committed to ensuring a better future for Nigeria.”
Idris pointed to recent actions such as the swift passage of the National Minimum Wage Bill and the approval and distribution of grains to state governments as evidence of the President’s dedication to the welfare of Nigerians. He emphasized the administration’s efforts to ensure that interventions directly benefit those in need, bypassing middlemen.
Additionally, Idris highlighted the President’s commitment to the newly established Student Loan Board, aiming to provide access to higher education for all eligible students. “No longer will capable students be unable to attend tertiary institutions due to financial constraints,” he affirmed.
The administration is also working on a scheme to support unemployed graduates post-National Youth Service. Idris noted, “The government is perfecting a plan to support young graduates until they secure employment.
This initiative underscores our commitment to an inclusive government, ensuring that no one is left behind as we drive Nigeria toward progress.”
