The Evolution of the Nigerians' Voice

Nigerians have been known to be in the press for a number of reasons, good and bad: their love of football and export of this treasured skills, their economic contribution to the western economy albeit at a price of leaving behind their beloved homeland and emigrating in high quantities, their supply of precious oil, the high level of corruption, fraud etc (need I say more).

Nigerians have neither been happy with the state of affairs within their homeland nor the perception of the outside world with regards to their tolerance of the mismanagement, incompetence and  lack of consideration by the relative minority being granted their trust to run the affairs of the state. Although they continuously express their distaste of the way the country has been run to-date, they have never seemed to either make their voice coherent or strong.

In recent weeks, the Government announced the withdrawal of the fuel subsidy granted to ease the burden of the cost of fuel supply to its citizens and Nigerians as usual were led by the Labour Union to embark on a strike action to make their displeasure known to the Government. This could have been a business-as-usual strike action of no clear message being spoken on behalf of the people and violence unleashed where possible by an idle few but it certainly wasn't the case. Nigerians gathered in their thousands in strategic locations to speak in clear terms with a united voice on their displeasure and anger at the Government's treatment of the resources very precious yet scarce to its people. 

Femi Kuti

Demonstrations were staged in major locations across the city with speeches, encouraging words and music provided by notable artists. The mood was heavy with criticism of the mismanagement of the country's resources over the last few decades but it was tinged with a sense of togetherness and camaraderie of a people dealing with the impact of the Government's decisions on the future of its people.

Ojota Bridge

Maryland

Nigerians are ready to stand up in one accord using their voices and creative expressions to stand against irresponsible politicians, leaders and government officials. The Government needs to address the continued lack of consistently functioning infrastructure, electricity, competitively priced fuel, quality education, economic growth and development, and fight against growing terrorism. I applaud Nigerians for a peaceful yet effective protest and activism and I hope to show more of these images as they evolve and their voices grow stronger, more powerful and life-changing.

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Photography: Dele Nedd