The Latest Protest in Nepal Has Nigerians Questioning and Seeking Reforms in the Nation
These recent protests in Nepal have had countries like Nigeria on the edge of their seats, with many saying this might be the beginning of a new-age revolution in all third-world countries.
The protest stems from years of crippling poverty, lack of infrastructural development, and a high unemployment rate in the nation. In a bid to spur change after a social media ban, the youths of Nepal took to the streets to protest for their rights and challenge the government. The event, which has sparked a social media buzz, is becoming a revolution of the ages and has had youths around the world itching for change.
The uprising has spurred Nigerian youths to protest against the elite in the nation, but many believe it is a futile effort.
The leader of the Take-It-Back Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, in a post on X on Friday, said:
“In 2020, Americans had Black Lives Matter. Nigerians were inspired; we did #EndSARS in the same year. In 2024, Kenya had a Finance Bill protest. It inspired us, and then we had #EndBadGovernance protest. It’s 2025. Will Nigerian youths take lessons from Nepal?”
Although the movement may seem like a good idea, many are wary that it might end up being a repeat of what happened in 2020. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, youths suffered mistreatment and unlawful arrests at the hands of a security task force known as SARS. This agency allegedly stereotyped youths based on their dressing and arrested any they deemed to be criminals.
Due to this misappropriation of justice, the youths rose and started the #EndSARS protest, which took place in different states across Nigeria, the largest gathering at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State. The initially peaceful protest ended in a shootout with police, killing some youths while others sustained injuries. After this protest, many have been hesitant as they still nurse the wounds from that event. Despite the tragedy, some Nigerians still believe change can be made through this means.
Human rights lawyer and activist Inibehe Effiong expressed support for the protest, as he sees it as a means for the citizens of Nepal to rise and make their voices known. In a post on X, the lawyer said:
“You do not want rule of law in Nigeria.
You support looting and the looters.
You hate anyone who is fighting for peaceful change.
You attack peaceful protesters.
You deploy violence against voters who do not want to vote for your political party and candidate.
Yet, you are mad that some of us are not against the revolution that is going on in Nepal.
You’re triggered because you are scared of anything that will awaken Nigerians.
A day will come that you will no longer be able to hide under the canopy of tribalism and bigotry.
A day will come in this country when this rotten system will be challenged.”
While there has been some support from Nigerians for the recent protest, others like comedian Seyi Law and social commentator Reno Omokri have warned Nigerians against taking similar actions. In a post on X, Omokri said:
“Before They Deceive You Into Burning Nigeria Like They Are Burning Nepal…
Please fact-check me: The Lagos State Government built the best forensic laboratory in Africa, and that facility was burnt to the ground, along with other multibillion-naira public infrastructure, during the #EndSARS protests.
That was why MohBad’s autopsy had to be done in America rather than Nigeria, making us look like a big-for-nothing country. Eighty BRT buses and several courthouses and police stations were also razed during that protest, and according to the Organised Private Sector, the damage to Lagos stood at $305 million.
“The funny thing is that many of those who led the EndSARS protests in Lagos were neither from Lagos nor even paid taxes in Lagos. Interestingly, they came from states with far worse governments than Lagos State. Yet their states were left unharmed while they inflicted serious damage on Lagos’s economy.
“And then last year’s Days of Rage protest inflicted damage worth ₦200 billion on Northern Nigeria and almost destabilised the nation to the point where Russian flags were being paraded to instigate a Burkina Faso/Mali/Niger-type regime change in Nigeria.
“So think twice now that they are again instigating you to replicate the Nepal protests in Nigeria.
“I have been to Nepal. Nigeria is a much better-governed space than Nepal. We are a politically stable and economically progressive country.
“Nigeria is the only African country where five former Presidents or Heads of State live peacefully and work with the incumbent government via the Council of State. Before General Buhari’s sad death, there were six. Now, there are five, including General Gowon, President Obasanjo, General Babangida, General Abubakar, and President Jonathan.
“And our economy expanded by $67 billion in just two years, moving Nigeria’s GDP from a ₦269.29 trillion economy on May 29, 2023, when Asiwaju became President, to ₦372.8 trillion today.
“Meanwhile, almost a million indigent students are benefiting from the Student Loan Initiative of the Federal Government.
“However, if these incidents of good governance are still not satisfactory and you want to replicate the Nepali protests locally, then please, by all means, start from your state of origin!”
Notwithstanding this outcry, supporters of the government have warned that any attempt to replicate Nepal’s youth-led revolt could trigger unrest worse than the #EndSARS protest.
Nepal’s uprising has shown that the voices of young people, when united, can shake even the strongest systems. For Nigerians, the lesson is not just in watching but in reflecting. The path to reform does not have to repeat the scars of #EndSARS, it can be through smarter, more strategic, and peaceful means.
