4 lessons to learn from #EndSARS protests

What started as a clamour for an end to police brutality (#EndSars) and an overhaul of the entire policing system in Nigeria has taken an additional dimension. Protesters have added to their demands, an end to bad governance (#EndBadGovernanceinNigeria). With the protests not likely to end soon, what can we glean from the youths’ commitment and government’s reactions as we forge ahead?  

• Just as job skills are honed, Nigerian youths need to invest in knowledge of politics and governance; this will help create a niche in political decision-making. 

• We can make right Nigeria’s past wrongs in transparency and accountability with a little integrity;

• Beyond the EndSARS movement, young people ought to channel skills, energy and resources to fight for good governance;

• A new Nigeria will be born when she supports her young people to be leaders;

• Youths need not only strive to be leaders of tomorrow, but today.

Youth representation, still missing in government. 

Since what is now dubbed “blackout Tuesday”, #EndSARS protesters have questioned the government’s silence on the massacre. But when the President broke the silence, what hit Nigerians, though unexpected, was consistent with his long-running style as former military-leader. Beyond the President’s failure to empathise with Nigerian youths, a cursory look may reveal one glaring problem. Youth representation is thin if not non-existent across various arms of the government. And despite the not-too-young to run law in Nigeria, the President’s ministerial nominations ignored this policy. 

The National Youth Policy defines young people as being between the ages of 15 and 29. Yet, the youngest member among the list of ministers is 43 years old- Sadiya Umar Farouq. More so, no senator is between the age of 30-35. And for a population with over 70%  below the age of 30, a mere handful of State House leaders is quite disappointing. Chief amongst which include Rt. Hon Abok Nuhu Ayuba (34) from Plateau State; Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin (33) from Oyo state; Rt. Hon Nasiru Magarya (31) from Zamfara State, and Rt. Hon Yakubu Danladi Salihu (35) from Kwara) State.

But just as job skills are honed, youths of Nigeria need to invest in knowledge of politics and governance; this will help create a niche in political decision-making. 

Integrity, transparency and accountability will lead the way 

Trailing the EndSARS demonstrations, you’d observe some inconsistencies with some supporters. A popular case is that of one leader of #EndSARS protesters in Akwa Ibom State, Kufre Cater. The state governor, Udom Emmanuel, supposedly gave Mr Kufre ₦4 million to share to the protesting youths in Uyo. Although Kufre Cater corroborates the receipt of funds, he sets the record straight on his Facebook page, claiming he got ₦500,000 and not ₦4 million. Kufre Cater noted that Governor Udom set a different sharing formula for the alleged ₦4 million; two million for Uyo Youths and two million for four blocks of protest organisers. Elsewhere, protesters reportedly complained of deployed military personnel bribing them with ₦2000. 

Overall, this represents how the government at all levels view the youths; hungry, gullible, vulnerable and desperate to be rich. In the end, news of Nigeria’s penury isn’t news. And the political elites are well aware of these truths. It, however, takes courage and integrity for youths to change this rhetoric. They, therefore, must stand their ground and reject bribes. Also demanding transparency and accountability not just from their leaders, but themselves. A good start, however, would be integrity. 

Similarly, Rt Hon Amaechi Rotimi alluded that the prevalent corruption continued because youths never questioned the government. In an interview with BBC Nigeria, the Transport Minister appraised the efforts of the youth, but questioned why it took this long. According to Amaechi, Nigerian youths remained silent as long as the government lined their pockets. And now the government stopped, they woke up. How factual remains unknown, but the takeaway remains: the need for integrity and accountability. 

To channel skills, energy and resources to fight for good governance even beyond crisis

The philanthropic gesture of Nigerians to support the #EndSARS protest shows the wealth of skills, energy and resources Nigerians possess; these included financial donations, free service donations, time and commitment. And in one instance, protesters raised over ₦4 million in less than 24 hours for two physically challenged protesters who joined the protest. 

Flutterwave platform a tech company in Nigeria also raised ₦10,262,703, $6,040, £583, CAD1,300, GHS715, AUD105, ZAR400, EUR675, CZK500, and AED100 for the protest. Likewise, Bundle, a social payment app for cash and crypto currencies, had set up three cryptocurrency wallets for fundraising for the movement. The company also made some contribution of NGN 1,000,000 (2,145 BUSD) to support the cause. As of October 21, 2020, the Feminist Coalition had raised #77, 190, 305.11 and disbursed #56, 403, 235. 00 as support to the #EndSARS course. 

Moving forward, after these protests, Nigeria will need these sets of philanthropic gestures from young people to solve its greatest challenges of political elites hegemony.

Leaders of tomorrow today 

Over time, instead of being listened to and supported to lead change, young people are often ignored and overlooked. A clear sign of this level of neglect to young people is the demand to #EndSARS, reform the police and administer good governance. Beyond the EndSARS, police reform and good governance mission, youths should aspire to be leaders of today, not tomorrow. The level of commitments from peaceful protesters across Nigeria to “soro soke” to bad governance shows that Nigeria can be great.