A coalition of civil society organisations, labour activists, youth groups and community-based movements has declared June 12, 2026, a day of nationwide protest to draw attention to worsening insecurity and the rising cost of living across Nigeria.
The coalition, led by human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, said the planned demonstration is intended to demand urgent government action to address the country’s security challenges and economic difficulties confronting millions of Nigerians.
In a joint statement issued ahead of Democracy Day, the groups expressed concern over the persistent wave of killings, kidnappings and displacement of citizens in several parts of the country, arguing that government interventions have yet to yield the desired results.
“Innocent Nigerians are being killed, abducted, displaced and traumatised while government responses to the security crisis have remained inadequate,” the coalition stated.
The organisations also decried the prevailing economic hardship, citing inflation, rising food prices and declining purchasing power as factors worsening the living conditions of ordinary Nigerians.
According to the coalition, the June 12 protest is aimed at amplifying the voices of citizens affected by insecurity and economic challenges while urging authorities to prioritise policies that promote social welfare and national security.
“The Nigerian people deserve a government that places the protection of lives and property at the centre of governance,” the statement added.
The groups expressed solidarity with victims of terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, calling for intensified efforts to secure the release of persons currently held captive across various parts of the country.
They further noted that despite repeated assurances from government officials regarding improvements in security, attacks on communities have persisted, schools continue to face threats, farmers remain unable to access their farmlands safely, and major highways are still considered unsafe by many travellers.
“Despite repeated assurances that insecurity is being addressed, communities continue to come under attack, schools remain under threat, farmers cannot safely access their farmlands and major highways remain dangerous,” the coalition said.
The statement was endorsed by several civil society leaders and activists, including Falana, representatives of the EndBadGovernance Movement, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, the Nigeria Patriotic Front Movement, the Youth Rights Campaign and other advocacy groups.
The organisers urged Nigerians to participate peacefully in the planned demonstrations, insisting that Democracy Day provides an opportunity for citizens to advocate for accountable governance and improved living conditions.
The planned protest comes amid growing public concern over the country’s security situation and economic realities, with calls mounting for decisive measures to protect lives, strengthen livelihoods and restore public confidence in government institutions.
