The #TakeItBack Movement protested on Wednesday across Lagos, Abuja, and other regions, citing rising economic hardship, insecurity, soaring inflation, and what organizers termed political repression under the Bola Tinubu administration.
At the “Festival of the Oppressed” demonstrations, marchers in both cities demanded immediate government action on the key issues affecting everyday Nigerians.
Video clips obtained by Channels TV showed Protesters gathered in the Maryland area of Lagos, singing and chanting slogans like “Revolution” before security personnel dispersed the crowd.
#TakeItBack Movement is demanding the release of all Nigerians held captive by bandits and kidnappers, a N500,000 national minimum wage, the dismissal of charges against activist Omoyele Sowore, and immediate action to stop attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.
Sowore joined demonstrators in Abuja as they brandished placards reading “Nigeria is bleeding,” “Rescue our people now,” “Free all political prisoners,” “No to xenophobia,” and “Revolution is the answer.”
Sowore also told journalists that the rally was designed to remind Nigerians of the need for a “imminent revolution.”
He said, “But we have a number of demands that we must reiterate here. And they include that Nigerian workers must be paid N500,000 per month as their minimum wage. We have also asked that they release Nnamdi Kanu from unjust and unlawful detention. That they discontinue all forms of trial, whether it’s cybercrime, treason trials against activists and Nigerians who are raising up their voice against bad governance in this country.
“Most importantly, to announce that Tinubu’s tenure is over. Tinubu must go! We have our colleagues in Lagos, in Ibadan, Port Harcourt, and different places who are also taking action today. This is just the beginning of a series of actions that will be taken. And we urge you, wherever you may be Nigerians, to join us.
Minimum Wage Debate
Calls to review the current minimum wage have intensified in recent weeks. In July, Sowore faulted the reported proposal by state governors to increase the national minimum wage to N100,000, insisting that the amount is still inadequate for Nigerian workers.
Following this, the Federal Workers Forum (FWF) called on the federal government to address issues impacting correctional facilities across the country, adopt a minimum wage of ₦300,000, and pay unpaid workers’ entitlements.
In a statement, Mr. Andrew Emelieze, national coordinator of FWF, called on the government to pay the arrears of the 40% unique allowance and fulfil the pending two-month wage award owed to federal workers since June 2024.
Similarly, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) previously disclosed that it is preparing a countrywide campaign to push for a upward review of the minimum wage and mandate a national minimum wage for retirees.
Read Also: Minimum Wage Review- NLC to Begin Nationwide Struggle – Ajaero
