10 Key Takeaways from President Tinubu’s to on #EndBadGovernance Protest

President Bola Tinubu delivered a national broadcast on Sunday, August 4, 2024, amidst ongoing protests that began on August 1, in response to widespread economic hardship in Nigeria.

The protests, which have spread across the country, have resulted in at least 17 fatalities due to clashes with security forces, and numerous arrests have been reported.

Notably, on Saturday, viral images and videos from Kano showed protesters waving Russian flags while chanting in Hausa, “We don’t want bad government.”

Here are the key points from President Tinubu’s address:

1. Condolences and Call for Peace: The President expressed deep sorrow for the lives lost during the protests and urged an end to violence. “I commiserate with the families and relations of those who have died in the protests. We must stop further bloodshed, violence, and destruction,” Tinubu said.
2. Suspension of Protests: Tinubu called for an immediate suspension of the protests and encouraged dialogue. “I hereby enjoin protesters and the organisers to suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue,” he stated.
3. Economic Reforms: Defending his administration’s decision to remove fuel subsidies and overhaul the foreign exchange system, Tinubu emphasized that these reforms were essential to “reverse the decades of economic mismanagement.”
4. Fiscal Improvements: The President highlighted a significant increase in government revenues, noting, “Aggregate government revenues have more than doubled, reaching over N9.1 trillion in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.”
5. Infrastructure Development: Tinubu discussed ongoing major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Highway.
6. Oil and Gas Sector Revival: He reported a rise in oil production to 1.61 million barrels per day and renewed interest from investors in the oil and gas sector.
7. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative: The government has launched a CNG initiative aimed at powering transportation and reducing costs, with plans to distribute one million conversion kits.
8. Youth Empowerment Programs: Tinubu outlined various youth-focused initiatives, including a student loan scheme, the Digital and Creative Enterprises programme, and numerous skill development programs.
9. Housing Projects: The President announced plans to complete 100,000 housing units over the next three years as part of the Renewed Hope City and Estate initiative.
10. Food Security Measures: Tinubu revealed measures to boost food production, such as removing tariffs on certain food items and distributing farming equipment.

The President concluded his address by calling for national unity and patience. “Let us work together to build a brighter future for ourselves and for generations to come. Let us choose hope over fear, unity over division, and progress over stagnation,” he urged.