International Day for Poverty Eradication: Nigerians Protest in Abuja, Demand End to Hunger, Poverty

October 18, 2025

Hundreds of Nigerians on Friday, October 17, 2025, poured onto the streets of Abuja in a peaceful protest against worsening poverty, hunger, and the rising cost of living.

The demonstration, organised by the Movement for the Transformation of Nigeria (MOTiON), coincided with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed globally every October 17, and was described by organisers as “a citizens’ march against institutional and social poverty.”

Procession Across the City

The protesters, waving banners and beating empty cooking pots to symbolise hunger, began their march at the Labour House in the Central Business District. They walked through major streets to the Federal Ministry of Finance and back, chanting solidarity songs and calling for immediate government intervention to alleviate hardship.

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Placards bore bold inscriptions such as:

“Our pots are empty because the system is broken!”

“We march not just for food but for justice, dignity and equality!”

“President Tinubu, we cannot eat promises – feed us with justice and good governance!”

“We beat our pots today because hunger beats us every day!”

“Empty pots, empty promises – we can’t cook hope!”

“We refuse to normalise poverty in a nation this rich!”

“139 million Nigerians in poverty and counting, enough is enough!”

“Release funds for agriculture now, our farms can’t survive on speeches!”

Security personnel were stationed at key points along the route to maintain order. The march remained peaceful throughout, with no major disruptions or arrests reported at press time.

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Protesters’ Message: ‘We Have No Business Being Poor’

Addressing the crowd, Hawa Mustapha, the convener of MOTiON, said the movement’s name stands for “Movement for the Transformation of Nigeria” and symbolises a shift “from pain to purpose.”

“We have no business being poor in a country of plenty,” she declared. “Thirty-one million Nigerians wake up not knowing where their next meal will come from. Eleven million children go to bed hungry, and yet, this is a land blessed with vast agricultural resources. Enough of speeches; it’s time for action.”

Mustapha said the protest was more than a march, it was a call for structural reform and people-oriented governance.

“This is about the soul of our nation,” she said. “Every Nigerian has a stake in this country. There are no Nigerians who are more Nigerian than others. We will continue to raise our voices until our leaders take decisive steps to end hunger, create jobs, and restore dignity to every home.”

Six Demands from MOTiON

The protesters presented a six-point demand to the government, urging swift and concrete measures:

  • End to Hunger: Immediate national emergency meeting to address hunger and poverty in the midst of plenty.
  • Job Creation: Strategic policy interventions to create at least three million jobs within two years.
  • Anti-Corruption Drive: Prosecution of indicted public officials and transparent use of public funds.
  • School Feeding Programme: Full reintroduction and expansion of the school feeding initiative across all public primary schools.
  • Social Protection: Expansion of the federal cash transfer programme to include the estimated 139 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty.
  • Credible Elections and Accountability: Strengthened institutions to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections.

“If these six demands are met,” Mustapha said, “we will have no reason to return to the streets. Nigerians will have jobs, food, and hope again.”

Connecting to the Global Anti-Poverty Movement

This year’s global theme for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty “Dignity for All in Practice: Ending Persistent Poverty” resonated deeply among demonstrators in Abuja.

Drummers and singers led chants that echoed through the streets: “We are Motion – Moving from Pain to Purpose!” and “Poverty is not destiny!”

Many protesters brought symbolic household utensils empty pots, pans, and plates representing families struggling to put food on the table.

“When the cost of food rises faster than wages, hunger becomes a national emergency,” one protester’s placard read.

Protests Over Economic Reforms and Inflation

Friday’s march builds on a series of demonstrations across Nigeria in the past year over worsening economic conditions following fuel subsidy removal, exchange rate liberalisation, and surging food inflation.

The August 2024 “End Bad Governance” protests erupted in several northern states, leading to arrests and government promises to expand social protection programmes.

Civil rights groups like HURIWA and SERAP have consistently criticised what they call “anti-poor policies” and “cosmetic palliatives.”

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) show food inflation hovering above 40%, with staples like rice, bread, and yam beyond the reach of many households.

The World Bank also estimated in mid-2025 that over 104 million Nigerians are living below the poverty line.

As of press time, no official statement had been released by the Federal Ministry of Finance or the Presidency.

However, sources within the ministry said the government is “assessing the situation and reviewing social welfare frameworks.”

Earlier this year, the administration expanded the conditional cash transfer scheme to eight million households and promised more funding for agriculture and food production.

But civil society groups say implementation has been slow and limited in reach.

Though modest in size, Friday’s protest sent a strong signal of growing public frustration. For many participants, the message was clear Nigerians are not only demanding food and jobs, but dignity and justice in how the nation’s wealth is shared.

As one woman holding a battered cooking pot put it, “We beat our pots today because hunger beats us every day. Until government listens, we will keep beating.”

 

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Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.

Amanze Chinonye

Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.

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