Nigerians are frustrated by economic hardship but authorities fear planned protests could turn ugly

abcnews.go.com:

Nigerians are planning nationwide protests this week against the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation

ABUJA, Nigeria — Frustrated with growing economic hardships, Nigerians are planning nationwide protests this week against the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

And with momentum soaring on social media, authorities fear a replay of the deadly 2020 demonstrations against police brutality in this West African nation — or a wave of violence similar to last month’s protests in Kenya, where a tax hike led to chaos in the capital, Nairobi.

The government of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu says it is determined to prevent such a scenario in a country that has long been a top African oil producer but whose citizens are among the world’s poorest.

Authorities have touted the positives. Nigerian politicians and lawmakers, often accused of corruption, are some of the best-paid in Africa. Even the president’s wife — her office nowhere in the constitution — is entitled to SUVs and other luxuries funded by taxpayers.

Nigeria's population of over 210 million people — the continent's largest — is also among the hungriest in the world and its government has struggled to create jobs.

The current economic hardship under Tinubu, who promised “renewed hope” when he was sworn into office in May 2023, is blamed on surging inflation that is at a 28-year high and the government’s economic policies that have pushed the local currency to record low against the dollar.

On Tuesday, local media reported that organizers of the protests, which are planned for Thursday, rejected a proposal from Nigeria's police to instead hold rallies in confined spaces — easily controlled by security forces.

“So many people are