Nurubian

Political Economy

The Nigerian Protests: An Exercise in Futility

Yewande Fatunla

Summary

A reflection on the futility of unchanneled outrage in Nigeria's recent protests, where destructive upheaval fragmented society and harmed the marginalized rather than advancing the cause.

Transcript

The recent Nigerian riot epitomizes the tragic futility of un-channeled outrage. While grievances against systemic inequities are justifiable, the destructive upheaval that ensued achieved naught but societal fragmentation and economic regression. In the absence of strategic organization or clear objectives, such expressions of discontent merely dissipate into chaos, undermining the very cause they seek to advance. This tumultuous episode, rather than galvanizing constructive change, exacerbated the plight of the marginalized, rendering the riot a hollow and counterproductive endeavour.


Yewande. Formerly active in early protest movements, she saw the rapid escalation from non-violent demonstrations to vile, erratic, rage-bursting riots. In the midst of a lethal repression campaign from government forces, she vicariously experienced life-endangering situations through acquaintances. Expatriated since, she now wishes for a country capable of fulfilling its long-predicated economic potential, but also of providing a secure environment to its citizens.

Author
Yewande Fatunla

Yewande Fatunla

Nigerian writer working at the intersection of immigration, identity, and the politics of belonging. Writes from inside the migrant condition rather than about it.

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