Protest: Tinubu Highlights Three Achievements to Dissuade Nigerians from Demonstrating

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has outlined several key measures, including the launch of a student loan scheme, the introduction of a new minimum wage of N70,000, and the establishment of a consumer credit initiative, as reasons to reconsider the proposed August 1-10, 2024, hardship protest.

Addressing a delegation of Islamic leaders led by Sheikh Bala Lau at the State House on Thursday, Tinubu urged protest organizers to avoid turning Nigeria into a crisis state like Sudan.

He explained that his administration is revamping the social welfare program to provide support directly at the ward level, which is closest to the people. This initiative aims to deliver allowances to the poor and vulnerable.

Tinubu highlighted that the student loan scheme will cover school fees, the consumer credit initiative will aid citizens in purchasing cars and houses with gradual repayment options, and the minimum wage has been increased by over 100 percent.

On Wednesday, the Nigerian National Assembly approved the new Minimum Wage Act, setting the minimum wage at N70,000, following an agreement between Tinubu and Nigerian workers. Additionally, the federal government has begun distributing funds to 110,000 beneficiaries of the N35 billion student loan scheme and approved N100 billion in consumer credit earlier this year.