In a powerful reflection on Nigeria’s enduring spirit of resistance, civil society leaders, historians, and youth advocates gathered this week to commemorate landmark protests that have defined the nation’s path toward justice and reform. From the 1929 Aba Women’s Riot to the 2020 EndSARS movement, these uprisings have left indelible marks on Nigeria’s political and social landscape.
The event, themed “Voices of Change: A Century of Protest in Nigeria”, spotlighted how ordinary citizens—especially women and youth—have consistently challenged injustice, colonial oppression, and state brutality.
The Aba Women’s Riot of 1929, led by thousands of Igbo women in Eastern Nigeria, was a bold stand against colonial taxation and administrative overreach. It marked one of the earliest organized anti-colonial movements in West Africa, showcasing the power of collective female action.
Fast forward to 2020, the EndSARS protests erupted nationwide as young Nigerians demanded an end to police brutality and the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The movement, fueled by social media and grassroots mobilization, became a global symbol of youth-led activism and calls for accountability.
“These protests are not isolated events—they are chapters in a long story of Nigerian resilience,” said Dr. Ifeoma Okoye, a historian and keynote speaker at the event. “From market women in Aba to tech-savvy youth in Lagos, Nigerians have always found ways to speak truth to power.”
Each movement, though distinct in cause and context, shares a common thread: the unwavering demand for justice, dignity, and democratic inclusion.