Nigeria: Fuel Price Hike - Protests Disrupt Commercial Activities in Lagos

By Nurudeen Oyewole

Lagos — Commercial and transport activities in some parts of Lagos State were briefly disrupted on Thursday as members of Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) and other affiliate unions of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) made good of their threats as they staged what they called, "sensitization rally" across major streets and roads.

The protesters, who gathered as early as 7am at NLC building, Yaba embarked on road demonstrations through the popular Mushin community before proceeding to Oshodi, passing through the Lagos-Abeokuta road to link Ikeja GRA.

And from Mobolaji Bank Anthony road, the protesters linked the popular Obafemi Awolowo road, Ikeja before heading toward Lagos State Government Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja where the demonstration terminated.

Daily Trust correspondent who witnessed the rally observed that while at Ojuwoye market in Mushin, some of the market women came to join the protest, complaining about high cost of food stuffs and declaring their support for the labour leaders.

However, at the State Secretariat, Alausa, where many civil servants had already resumed work for the day, the main entrance gate leading to Obafemi Awolowo Way was swiftly pad-locked by police officers who were manning the gate.

This move was said to have become expedient so as to deny the protesters access into the premises for fears of attacking the civil servants.

However, the gate was later opened and the protesters trooped in and moved toward the office of the Head of Civil Service (HOS) where the protesters sang all manners of songs and even held addresses to condemn recent increase in the pump prices of petroleum.

In his remark, the ASUU chairman, University of Lagos (UNILAG) Chapter, Dr Adelaja Odukoya, said the protesting workers were glad that they were able to live up to their threats. He said from all indications, it was clear that the strike action was being received well among Nigerians and vowed that the protesting Nigerians would not abandon the struggle until the Federal government revert to the old pump prices of petroleum.